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.