Dilatory motions, etc

28.33It is usually provided that on days on which proceedings under the order are to be brought to a conclusion, or in some cases on any allotted day, dilatory motions on the bill are inadmissible unless moved by a Minister of the Crown, when the question on it is to be put without amendment or debate.1 Similarly, it may be provided that only a Minister may make a motion to alter the order in which proceedings on the bill are to be taken, and that the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith; but where there is a Business Committee on the bill, it may recommend an alteration in the order in which such clauses or schedules are to be taken in committee or on consideration. It has also been provided that in committee no motions relating to the sittings of the committee should be moved except by a Minister and that the question on any such motion should be put forthwith without debate2 or after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who moved it and a Member who opposes it.3

Footnotes

  1. 1. A motion to re-commit a bill is not a dilatory motion and may be made unless it is specifically forbidden, CJ (1906) 362. It is therefore generally provided that on an allotted day no debate should be permitted on any motion to re-commit the bill (whether as a whole or otherwise) and that the question necessary to dispose of the motion, including the question on any amendment selected under SO No 32, should be put forthwith, for example ibid (1991–92) 303.
  2. 2. CJ (1948–49) 41.
  3. 3. For example, CJ (1992–93) 321.