Constituency statements

Periods are reserved for Members’ constituency[113] statements at the start of Federation Chamber proceedings on every day that the Federation Chamber meets. This opportunity lasts for 30 minutes, irrespective of suspensions for divisions in the House. Any Member (including Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers) may speak for no longer than three minutes.[114] If no other Member rises, a Member who has already spoken may speak a second time. The period for statements is sometimes extended (by motion moved in the House) when there is no other business to be considered by the Federation Chamber.[115] The standing orders do not define ‘constituency statements’, and matters of more general interest have been raised without objection.[116]

A Member may present a petition during this period provided the Petitions Committee has checked the petition for compliance with the standing orders and approved it for presentation.[117]