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CHAPTER VIII

HALF-AN-HOUR DISCUSSIONS

55. (1) The Speaker may allot half an hour on threesittings in a week, for raising discussion on a matter ofsufficient public importance which has been the subjectof a recent question, oral or written, and the answer towhich needs elucidation on a matter of fact.

(2) A member wishing to raise a matter shall givenotice in writing to the Secretary-General three daysin advance of the day on which the matter is desiredto be raised, and shall shortly specify the point or pointsthat he wishes to raise:

Provided that the notice shall be accompanied byan explanatory note stating the reasons for raisingdiscussion on the matter in question:

Provided further that if a notice is signed by morethan one member it shall be deemed to have beengiven by the first signatory only:

Provided further that the Speaker may with theconsent of the Minister concerned waive therequirement concerning the period of notice.

(3) The Speaker shall decide whether the matteris of sufficient public importance to be put down fordiscussion, and may not admit a notice which, in hisopinion, seeks to revise the policy of Government.

(4) If more than two notices have been receivedand admitted by the Speaker, the Secretary-Generalshall hold a ballot with a view to draw two notices and

the notices shall be put down in the order in whichthey were received in point of time:

Provided that if any matter put down for discussionon a particular day is not disposed of on that day itshall not be set down for any other day, unless themember so desires, in which case it shall be includedin the ballot for the next available day.

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(5) There shall be no formal motion before theHouse nor voting. The member who has given noticemay make a short statement and the 1[members whohave previously intimated to the Speaker may ask aquestion for the purpose of further elucidating anymatter of fact. Thereafter, the Minister shall replyshortly:]

Provided that not more than four members who

have previously intimated to the Secretary-Generalmay be permitted to ask a question each for thepurpose of further elucidating any matter of fact.

Explanation.A member wishing to ask a questionshall make such request in writing before thecommencement of the sitting at which the discussionis to take place. If such requests are received frommore than four members, a ballot shall be held todetermine the names of first four members who maybe permitted to ask a question each.

1Sub. by L.S. Bn. (II), dated 9.5.1989, para 2930.