Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I am ready to rule on the matter. I have obviously surveyed this ground before, although not in question time. Certainly, chairs of committee can be asked questions strictly about the process of their committee. The Leader of the House raises the point in the question from the Manager of Opposition Business about whether the committee will hold hearings or not. I think that does go to the process of the committee. What the decision-making for that is is a matter, frankly, for the member answering. I am going to allow the question. The member for Bowman, and he needs to confine himself just to the process as chair of the committee.

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