Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some concerns about this as well and have for a number of years. I also know the rules, if any, are not clear to me. I remember as a Minister, some years ago, trying to discourage certain Members from naming particular individuals from the public against whom they were making statements and allegations, having no one to turn to but my own personal objection towards that practice. This business of tabling letters is not a practice that should be discouraged. However, where there is possible damage being done to individuals where the letters may contain allegations or particular names of people who, by being named in this Legislature, are being tried and by implication, accused and found guilty, it is not acceptable to me and I don't think it should be acceptable or condoned by Members of this Legislature. It goes beyond what are normal bounds of decency to which we all try to adhere. I am not sure I would suggest that we need written rules to guide us in that. If we do, then perhaps rules should be made.

The issue of tabling unsigned letters gives rise to that particular issue, which is the point that I want to make on this issue. I don't think the chair should allow Members to name specific individuals in making allegations or accusations in this House which should be dealt with promptly by the chair when those occasions arise. It seems to be a growing practice recently and it causes great concern to me. The Member for Iqaluit has argued that we have a privilege, we can say what we want in this House and we are given immunity to do good for the public; but where we do damage, it is a severe abuse of that privilege and it isn't the intention of the privilege that was given in the first place.

The particular letter we're referring to is just one of many instances where the abuse is occurring, and we need to have that addressed up front and very quickly by the chair when Members give rise to it. Thank you.