The Speaker has no authority to compel Ministers to table a specific page of a document when answering parliamentary questions, Speaker Anglu Farrugia ruled on Tuesday.

Addressing Parliament, Farrugia referred to a request made by PN MP Ryan Callus where he asked for the Speaker's guidance in a matter where in response to a parliamentary question on sponsorships and donations given by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri tabled the full government gazette documents in writing.

Callus said he should not be sifting through the entire document to find the information he requested, and that the Minister should table the specific page which specifically includes the information requested.

The Speaker quoted previous rulings and the English House of Commons and said that at no point did the Speaker have the power to order a Minister to table a document, or a page of a document, and that responsibility falls on government, and not the Chair.

He said that despite this, Camilleri did proceed to table the document with the information requested, even if he decided to table all documents.

Farrugia appealed to all members and staff to maintain extensive knowledge on researching matters and obtaining sources of information where they can then proceed to requesting further information from PQs.