This issue dealt with the possibility of establishing time limits on Members' questions and Ministers' answers during oral questions in an effort to maximize the benefits of an hour-long question period. The committee considered this issue at its meeting of June 6, 2000.
In addressing this issue the committee decided that the implications and complications of timekeeping each question and response would be counterproductive and that requests for unanimous consent to conclude both questions and answers would likely proliferate the Chamber, not to mention take up a considerable amount of time.
It was decided that the present rules and guidelines governing oral questions and question period would suffice, particularly if they are stringently enforced by the Speaker. A letter to this effect was sent to the Speaker by the chair on June 19, 2000, requesting stringent application of the rules and guidelines for oral questions on behalf of all Members.