The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges received referrals from the Government House Leader regarding consideration of the reports from standing and special committees. Currently, when reports of these committees are presented to the House, the rules allow the report to be read into the record and by motion be moved into committee of the whole for further discussion.
The standing committee was informed that Cabinet was concerned that reports may be automatically put on the orders for committee of the whole for the day on which they are received by the House. If the House wishes, reports may be considered and recommendations approved on that day. Although serious problems have not yet arisen, there is a potential for reports to be considered and approved in committee of the whole before Ministers have had an adequate opportunity to review the reports, to consult with their departmental officials and to make significant contribution to the debate. This could also be a matter of concern to those ordinary Members who are not Members of a committee that is presenting a report, as they may wish to review the report to be in a better position to contribute to the debate.
It was suggested to the standing committee that a rule specifying that reports moved into committee of the whole may not be considered until two sitting days have passed would avoid such problems. This is the case for bills reported to the House by a committee. The rule could be waived by unanimous consent for routine reports to avoid unnecessary delays.
The standing committee consulted with the chairs of the standing and special committees by correspondence, and did not receive any objections to the request of the Government House Leader. The committee was of the opinion that a rule delaying the consideration of reports of standing and special committees would allow a more comprehensive debate of the issues before the House.