The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met in a televised session at 10:00 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Joe Preston, presiding.

The Ministers and William V. Baker answered questions.

At 11:04 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:09 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The Hon. Ted Menzies made a statement and, with Doug Nevison, answered questions.

At 12:09 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 2:01 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Ned Franks made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:04 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

At 3:12 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:13 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Yvon Godin moved, — That the Committee proceed to sit in camera.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Scott Brison, Claude DeBellefeuille, Yvon Godin, David J. McGuinty, Richard Nadeau, Marcel Proulx — 6; NAYS: Harold Albrecht, Scott Armstrong, Tom Lukiwski, Scott Reid, Terence Young — 5.

At 3:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:22 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

At 3:23 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:24 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

David J. McGuinty moved, — That the draft report be no longer than two pages in each official language;

That the draft report contain the conclusions of the Committee, namely

1. that the government has failed to produce all the specific documents ordered to be produced by the Standing Committee on Finance and by the House of Commons;
2. that the government has not provided a reasonable excuse;
3. that the documents tabled in the House and in Committee do not satisfy the orders for production of documents; nor do they provide a reasonable excuse;
4. that this failure impedes the House in the performance of its functions;
5. that the government’s failure to produce documents constitutes a contempt of Parliament;

That no summary of evidence be included in the draft report.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the motion out of order as it presupposed the conclusions of the Committee in regards to its report.

Whereupon, David J. McGuinty appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned on the following recorded division: YEAS: Harold Albrecht, Scott Armstrong, Tom Lukiwski, Scott Reid, Terence Young — 5; NAYS: Scott Brison, Claude DeBellefeuille, Yvon Godin, David J. McGuinty, Richard Nadeau, Marcel Proulx — 6.

Debate on the motion moved by David J. McGuinty arose thereon.

At 4:01 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.