PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS – S.O. 22(1) Hon. Members, this morning, before lunch, the hon. Member for Vacoas-Floréal raised a supplementary question for her Parliamentary Question B/805, on which I decided to give a ruling. I have just read the uncorrected transcript of the Hansard so that I may be properly guided in delivering my ruling. I refer Hon. Members to Standing Order 22(1), which refers to the rules concerning Parliamentary Questions, including supplementary questions. Standing Order 22(1) (h), which I partly referred to recently, reads – “(h) a question shall not include the names of persons or statements of facts unless they are necessary to make the question intelligible and, in the case of statements of facts, can be authenticated by the Member concerned, nor shall it contain charges which the Member asking the question is not prepared to substantiate;” Standing Order 22(1) (i) – “(i) a question shall not contain any arguments, expressions of opinion, inferences, imputations, quotations and extracts from newspapers and periodicals, epithets or controversial, ironical or offensive expressions or hypothetical cases;” In the same vein, I also refer to Standing Order 22(1), still, but this time (l), which was not totally the case this morning, but again, refers to statements in the press, and reads as follows. It will stand as a guideline, as recently, there was such a question regarding L'Express during the PNQ. I quote – “(l) a question shall not be asked whether statements in the press or of private individuals or unofficial bodies are accurate;” Members, I also wish to draw your attention to Standing Order 22(5) – “A question shall not be made a pretext for debate.” I have noted that of late, this has often been the case. Members tend to make statements rather than put questions. Sometimes, I am lenient. I am once more appealing to all hon. Members, on whichever side of the House you may be sitting, to, please, respect the Standing Orders and help me to uphold the dignity of our Parliament. You have the duty, of course, to fight for your ideas, but please, do so with respect for your opponents, but also for all those watching you on Parliament TV. Thank you.