Order! Before I go to the next Order, there is a ruling I need to make. On 19 March 2008, during a debate in the House on the Second-Hand Goods Bill, the hon Ellis raised a point of order immediately after the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security had made certain remarks from the podium. I undertook to study Hansard and return to the House with a ruling. However, I do apologise for the delay in finalising this matter.
In her response to speeches, the hon Deputy Minister referred to specific members by name. She also made remarks which, according to Hansard, were not directed at any specific member. Certain of these remarks are the ones that the hon Ellis objected to.
During her speech, the Deputy Minister made the following remarks:
You find a member who comes here and makes sure that the criminals out there are happy after she has spoken. They get very excited because they've got partners in the House. ... She must tell the House what she does during the night.
The Deputy Minister went on to say:
That's the hon member; that's how fallacious this member is. I want to say that even if she can support that, she is fallacious because she speaks in many tongues.
She added:
... you are in bed and in cahoots with some of these people who are braying criminal activities.
Having looked at the Unrevised Hansard, I now rule as follows. I want to caution that, although hon members enjoy freedom of speech in the House, they should refrain from making personal remarks which could be regarded as offensive. It is neither worthy of the dignity of the House nor conducive to an orderly and effective debate to even suggest that a member of this House could be in cahoots with criminals.
Although the remarks were not directed at any specific member, I find them inappropriate and offensive. Such a tone in a debate in this august House should consistently be discouraged. Had the Deputy Minister been present in the House, I would have asked her to withdraw the remarks in the interests of upholding the decorum and dignity of this House. However, I will write to her to convey the ruling I have just delivered. Thank you.