Speaker's powers under Standing Order

4.26These powers may be divided into several kinds.

General powers. Under Standing Orders Nos 4 and 85, the Speaker has the power to appoint a panel of Chairs to assist the Chairman of Ways and Means and to preside over general committees. Under Standing Order No 13, the Speaker has the power to recall the House in the event of an emergency.

Power to determine the course of business in the House. Under Standing Order No 24, the Speaker has to decide whether a proposal to debate a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration conforms to the provisions of the standing order. Under Standing Order No 21(2), the Speaker can grant a Member leave to ask a question that does not appear on the Order Paper on the grounds that it is of an urgent character and relates either to a matter of public importance or to the arrangement of business. Under Standing Order Nos 83J, 83O and 83P, the Speaker has to decide whether bills, statutory instruments and certain motions relate exclusively to England, or to England and Wales, and should therefore be dealt with under the relevant standing orders (see para 27.13 ).

Powers to restrict debate. The Speaker has the power to select the amendments which may be proposed on consideration of a motion or bill in the House (Standing Order No 32) and to forbid the tabling of amendments to certain neutrally worded motions (Standing Order No 24B). Various powers have been given to the Speaker to prevent obstruction in the proceedings of the House (see para 21.40 ff): the power to decide whether a dilatory motion is an abuse of the rules of the House (Standing Order No 35); to decide whether to accept and put a motion for the closure of a question when it has been adequately debated (Standing Order No 36); and the power to accept and put a motion ‘That the Question be now proposed’ (Standing Order No 29). The Speaker checks irrelevance or tedious repetition by ordering a Member to discontinue their speech (Standing Order No 42) and may direct that Members should restrict the length of their speeches at certain times (Standing Order No 47). The Speaker has powers to prevent a division if of the opinion that it is unnecessarily claimed (Standing Order No 40).

Powers to prevent disorder. The Speaker represses disorder in the House by calling Members to order (paras 21.40 –21.46 ), when the offence is committed in plain sight; by putting into force Standing Order No 44(1) (the suspension of Members) (para 21.50 ); or by naming a Member, under the ancient usage of the House incorporated in Standing Order No 43. Under Standing Order No 45, both these actions require the Member concerned to withdraw from the precincts of the House (para 21.51 ). If grave disorder persists, Standing Order No 46 gives the Speaker power to suspend or adjourn the sitting. Under Standing Order No 163, the Speaker has power to order the withdrawal of strangers (see para 38.79 ). The Speaker's powers in the event of grave disorder arising in the House are described at para 21.46.