MOTION

 A Motion is a proposal made for the purposes of extracting a decision of the House. They may be substantive or subsidiary. Substantive motions are self-contained (standalone) while subsidiary motions may be:

 (a) Ancilliary – dependent on an order of the day;

 (b) Motions made for the purposes of superseding questions, such as motions for adjournment of a debate; and

 (c) Motions dependent on other motions, such as amendments

Manner of Debating motions

Notice of motion

Motions are considered tabled when they are handed over at the Table of the House and read out by the Member giving notice to the Plenary when the order for ‘Notices of Motions’ is called out

Period of notice:

 In general, substantive motions require a notice while subsidiary motions do not. A Motion is typically not debated on the same day that its Notice is given, unless by the leave of the House.

A motion may however be exempted from this procedures by a resolution of the House.

Amendment of Notice of Motion

 The Speaker may permit a Member to move in amended form a Motion of which notice has been given if in the opinion of the Speaker the amendment does not materially alter any principle embodied in the Motion of which notice has been given.

 At the conclusion of the debate, the Speaker puts the Question. However, upon a request by a Member, the Speaker may defer putting of the Question to another day to be determined by the House Business Committee.1 Debates may last beyond one sitting.