PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 819
is lacking in decency or decorum or I otherwise regard it as irrelevant. I have always got the power. Otherwise, this rule would be meaningless.
So far as giving the permission to the Hon. Minister is concerned, I agree he came to me. Possibly his memory is short, but he did not suggest to me that under the rules I can suspend the standing orders. I wanted to accommodate him and said I would allow him to make a statement at any time that he liked and I brought to his notice that I can suspend the order. He agreed. Even now during the course of his statement if I do not agree and if I feet that a particular statement ought not to be made. I can certainly ask that portion to be erased from the proceedings of the house. In order to avoid all this. I would like to know what exactly the statement is. It is not going beyond the rules and the scope of my powers. I am prepared to allow him to make a statement suspending the rule, that immediately after the question hour the statement may be made. It still stands. I am not going behind that position and as it is open to me while the Hon. Minister is making a statement, to see that this kind of matter ought not to be stated on the floor of the House. I only asked him, now that there is time, to give me a copy of the statement. I learn that he has given a copy to the Prime minister, the Leader of the House. But to the hands of the Speaker the entire privilege of the house, the honour, the decorum and everything is entrusted. Therefore there ought to be no difference so far as the Speaker is concerned in this matter. I am not going out of the way. I am trying to exercise my powers without prejudice either to the dignity of the house or of the hon. Members with regard to the freedom of making a statement. I will allow the Hon. Minister to make the statement at 6 O’clock.
Shri Kamath: Is it not a fact that under the rules a Minister or a Member may be called to order on the ground of irrelevance or otherwise, but that the statement should not be pre-censored ?
Mr. Deputy Speaker: That is not so, I think under the rules I am entitled to see what is the statement that the Hon Minister is going to make now.