Speaker's Ruling

Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House.

During Question Period on May 2, 1996, the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh) raised a point of order about words used by the First Minister (Mr. Filmon) in response to a question. The words at issue, I believe, were, “The only thing that is in the interest of the member opposite is to try and create a public forum for him to raise his face, and that is not in the public interest.”

I took the matter under advisement to review Hansard. Having done so, I find that the honourable member for St. Johns indeed did have a point of order. The First Minister did indeed contravene Beauchesne Citation 481.(e) which reads that a member must not impute bad motives or motives different from those acknowledged by a member. I would ask the First Minister to withdraw the comments in question.

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): I withdraw those comments, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable First Minister.