Guide to Procedures
Changes since August 1999
Significant changes to the standing orders or practice of
the House since the print version of Guide to Procedures
was published in August 1999 are listed below.
Intervention in debate
References: Chapter 6: Rules of debate:
Interruption and adjournment of debate
On 16 September 2002 the House introduced sessional
order 84A to permit Members to
intervene in debate in the Main Committee (i.e. ask brief questions of the Member speaking). The new order has effect for the rest of 2002 .
Petitions
References: Chapter 17: Petitions
On 6 December 2000 the House amended the standing orders relating to petitions, providing opportunities for Members to present petitions themselves, and simplifying the rules relating to form, content and signatures. New standing orders 112 to 120 replace former standing orders 112 to 132.
Members may now present petitions during the periods for Members' statements in the House (S.O. 106A) or in the Main Committee (S.O. 275A). A petition referring to a motion or an order of the day may also be presented when such a motion or order of the day is moved or called on for the first time (S.O. 117).
Sitting hours
References: Chapter 4: Sittings of the House and organisation of business: Days and hours of sitting
On 6 February 2003 the House amended the standing orders relating to the meeting and adjournment of the House (S.O. 48 and S.O. 48A). The revised sitting hours are as follows: Monday 12.30pm to 9.30pm, Tuesday 2pm to 9.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 7.30pm, Thursday 9am to 5pm. There are now no suspensions for meal breaks. Quorums and divisions called between 6.30pm and 8pm on Mondays and Tuesdays are deferred until 8pm.
Last updated: 1 March
2003
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