Good afternoon. Prior to Item 2, Ministers' statements, I wish to make a brief ruling.
Speaker's Ruling
On Friday, February 26, 1993, the Member for Thebacha submitted two written questions. Written Question 22-12(3) seeks information from the Minister of Health on the number of patient visits to each of the physicians on contract with the Fort Smith health centre from 1989 to 1993. Written Question 23-12(3) seeks a summary of travel of all board members of the Fort Smith health centre during the period 1988 to the dissolution of the board. I have reviewed the written questions and the terms of reference of the public inquiry into the Fort Smith health centre, which was tabled on September 30, 1992, and is Tabled Document 106-12(2), and rule that both questions contravene rule 35(g)(ii) of our rules, which prohibit debate on any matter that is before any quasi-judicial, administrative or investigative body constituted by the Assembly or under the authority of an act of the Assembly where any person or persons may be prejudice in such matter by the reference. In addition, the public inquiry was established as a result of adopted Motion 30-12(2) of this Assembly. On reviewing the terms of reference, it is clear the public inquiry established under the Public Inquiries Act is to review the provision and quality of medical services at the Fort Smith health centre. It is also mandated to review the role and responsibility of board members with the public. The inquiry is also mandated to review the events leading to the resignation of the board. In addition, the inquiry is to conduct a comprehensive review of various features of the administration of the Fort Smith health centre over the last five years and the relationship between the facility and the community it serves.
Accordingly, Mrs. Marie-Jewell's questions are directly relevant to the matters the inquiry is to review and report on and are, therefore, a contravention of our rules and the sub judice convention. The fact that these issues were raised by written questions and not in oral questions or in debate is not relevant, as the same rules that apply to oral questions apply to written questions.
I would like to quote citation 427 from Beauchesne's, 6th edition, "The Speaker, in common with the duties of supervision over the proceedings of the House, may rule out of order any question which violates the rules or practice of parliament in the same way as irregularities in motions and amendments are dealt with." It is the chair's responsibility to ensure that the rules are enforced. The chair believes that wide latitude should be given Members in asking questions. However, when questions, either oral or written, are obviously an infraction of a specific rule, and since the rules are the rules of the Legislative Assembly, I will enforce the rules. Then, accordingly, I rule Written Questions 22-12(3) and 23-12(3) out of order.
Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Allooloo.