Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I thank both the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business, and I can understand the practical point the Leader of the House is making with respect to the ability to answer questions. However, under the standing orders and the Practice, that doesn't prevent those questions being asked. With respect to the sub judice rule, without me going through all the precedents in Practice, which itself can be problematic, I will simply summarise as best I can in saying there is a point, at times, where sub judice becomes an issue, and I've made sure I'm across that, and we're not at that point. As to the Leader of the House's second point, even if there were an argument that he's right, that doesn't prevent the question being asked, even if it might be judged by some that it can't necessarily be answered. The minister has the call.

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