NDDN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on National Defence met in camera at 8:47 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, the Hon. Peter Kent, presiding.

It was agreed, — That, the staff members present be permitted to remain during in camera proceedings this day.

It was agreed, — That the witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, during the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the second round and subsequent rounds of questioning; that the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: Conservative, NDP, Conservative, Liberal; that questioning during the second round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: Conservative, NDP, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witness(es); that, if time permits, questioning during the third round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: NDP, Conservative, Liberal; and that, if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the chair.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, childcare, attendant care and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

At 10:45 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.