Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There were very good questions asked by the Members to the Minister respecting the comparable costs to the previous plan or idea to renovate the old one, which apparently holds more beds, and how much it would have cost to renovate it. Would it have been more than $800,000, or less? These question shave not been answered by the Minister.

I am sorry, as chairman of the committee of the whole, at this time I recognize the clock and I will report progress.

Speaker's Ruling On Point Of Order Raised By Mrs. Marie- Jewell On February 28, 1992

Good afternoon. I wish to provide my ruling on the point of order raised by the honourable Member for Thebacha during question period on Friday, February 28. The point of order was raised that the Minister of Social Services, in responding to questions, should not be permitted to refer to the former government or Minister. The point was also made that ordinary Members are not permitted to ask questions of a Minister who held a former portfolio or of the former government. Although the rules and precedents are clear on the matter of a Member asking a Minister a question, I quote Beauchesne's 409(6): "A question must be within the administrative competence of the government. The Minister to whom the question is directed is responsible to the House for his or her present ministry and not for any decisions taken in a previous portfolio." The rules and precedents are not clear that the same restriction applies to a Minister in answering a question if the Minister can make comment on a former Minister or actions of a former government. To the matter before us, I would suggest that the Minister of Social Services in this case was referring to actions of a former Minister and government that he is supporting and is the present policy of this government. On this particular matter, the Member for Thebacha does not have a point of order. I will ensure that all Members of the House are given every opportunity within the rules and precedents when asking and replying to questions.

Item 18, report of the committee of the whole. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bills 8, 10, 11 and 14, and the committee wishes to report progress with nine motions being adopted. Bills 8, 10 and 11 are ready for third reading, and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the chairman of the committee of the whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Seconder to that motion. Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

Item 19, third reading of bills. Item 20, Mr. Clerk. Orders of the day.

Mr. Speaker, meetings for tomorrow: at 9:00 a.m. of the full caucus; and at 10:30 of the ordinary Members' caucus.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, 1992.

--- ADJOURNMENT