Madam Speaker: I have two rulings for the House.

During Question Period on May 8, 1996, I took under advisement a point of order raised by the opposition House leader (Mr. Ashton) concerning words used by the First Minister (Mr. Filmon) in responding to a question. It was contended the First Minister imputed unworthy motives to the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh) when the Premier said, “The only sadness, Madam Speaker, is that this member opposite should stoop so low as to try and profit by a situation in which people's lives were at stake and people suffered.”

Having reviewed Hansard, I am ruling that there was a point of order, and I am calling upon the First Minister to withdraw those comments.

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, I accept your ruling and withdraw those comments.

Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable First Minister.

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Madam Speaker: I have a second ruling for the House.

During Question Period on May 13, 1996, I took under advisement a point of order raised by the opposition House leader (Mr. Ashton) concerning words spoken by the Deputy Premier (Mr. Downey) in responding to a question. The opposition House leader's point was that the Deputy Premier stated that the member for Thompson had broken the rules of the House in making reference to the Premier who was out of the country. The opposition House leader, in raising his point of order, stated that he had made no specific reference to the Premier's immediate presence or absence in the Chamber on May 13.

Hansard shows that what was said by the opposition House leader was, and I quote, "since I did ask this question of the Premier (Mr. Filmon) before he left on his overseas trip" and he further went on to say, "or do we have to wait now for the Premier to return from an overseas trip before we can get any resolution of this critical issue?"

I believe that there was implicit in those statements a reference to the absence of the First Minister, and that is contrary to our rules and practices. I would ask the opposition House leader to withdraw the words he spoke.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Opposition House Leader): I withdraw them.

Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable member for Thompson.

Further, I am asking the Deputy Premier to withdraw what he said in regard to the honourable member for Thompson, that is, and I quote, "I get equally as upset with the member for Thompson who keeps breaking the rules of the House", as it is clearly unparliamentary to allege that another member breaks the rules.

Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier): Madam Speaker, I withdraw.

Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable Deputy Premier.