191  Explanation of speeches

A senator who has spoken to a question may again be heard, to explain some material part of the senator’s speech which has been misquoted or misunderstood, but shall not introduce any new matter, or interrupt any senator speaking, and no debatable matter shall be brought forward or debate arise on such an explanation.

Amendment history

Adopted: 19 August 1903 as SO 401 but renumbered as SO 396 for the first printed edition

1989 revision: Old SO 410 renumbered as SO 190; removal of gender-specific pronoun; minor updating of language and streamlining of expression

Commentary

The right of a senator to correct the misrepresentation of a speech is an exception to the rule in SO 188 that senators may speak only once on any question. It is a basic right in a debating forum and is not, therefore, dependent on leave being granted. The correction or explanation must occur within the same debate as the misrepresentation.