2015 — 22nd October

Whenever it is necessary to proceed forthwith to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of the Speaker having ceased for any reason to be a Member of this House, the chair shall be taken by that Member, present in the House and not being a Minister of the Crown, who has served for the longest period continuously as a Member of this House.

Whenever it is necessary to proceed to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of an intimation to Her Majesty by the Speaker of his wish to relinquish that office then the Speaker shall continue to take the chair and shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker until a new Speaker has been chosen, whereupon the Speaker shall leave the chair and shall cease to perform those duties and to exercise that authority and the Speaker Elect shall take the chair accordingly:

Provided that, if when this House proceeds to choose a new Speaker the unavoidable absence of the Speaker has been announced, the Deputy Speaker shall forthwith leave the chair and the chair shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order.

A Member taking the chair under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall enjoy all those powers which may be exercised by the Speaker during proceedings under (2) thereof.

If at the commencement of a Parliament the Member who was Speaker at the dissolution of the previous Parliament is returned to the House, the Member presiding in accordance with Standing Order No. 1 (Election of the Speaker: Member presiding) shall, when the House meets to proceed with the choice of a Speaker, ascertain whether the former Speaker is willing to be chosen as Speaker, and, the former Speaker having submitted himself to the House, shall call upon a Member to move that he do take the Chair of this House as Speaker; and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

If the question is agreed to, the former Speaker shall thereupon take the Chair as Speaker-elect.

If the question is negatived, the Member presiding shall forthwith adjourn the House to the following day at half-past two o'clock, and the House shall proceed in accordance with Standing Order No. 1B (Election of Speaker by secret ballot).

If the question put in accordance with Standing Order No. 1A (Re-election of former Speaker) has been negatived, and on any other occasion when it is necessary to proceed with the choice of a new Speaker, the election shall be by secret ballot.

Preparatory arrangements for a ballot shall be made under the supervision of the Clerk of the House.

Nominations of candidates shall be in writing and shall be received by the Clerk of the House between half-past nine o'clock and half-past ten o'clock in the morning on the day on which the House is to elect a Speaker.

Each nomination shall consist of a signed statement made by the candidate declaring his willingness to stand for election accompanied by the signatures of not fewer than twelve nor more than fifteen Members, of whom not fewer than three shall be Members elected to the House as members of any party other than that to which the candidate belongs or members of no party. No Member shall sign more than one such statement and if any Member does so, his signature shall no longer be valid.

As soon as practicable following the close of nominations, lists of the candidates shall be placed in the Members' lobby and published.

If only one Member is nominated in accordance with paragraph (3) above, the Member presiding shall, when the House meets to elect a Speaker, invite the Member so nominated to submit himself to the House, and shall then put forthwith the question that that Member do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.

Paragraphs (6) to (13) of this order shall apply if two or more Members are nominated in accordance with paragraph (3) above.

When the House meets, the order in which candidates may address the House shall be determined by lot; the Member presiding shall then invite each candidate to address the House; and after all candidates have been given an opportunity to speak, the Member presiding shall direct the House to proceed to a ballot.

The Member presiding may not vote in any ballot.

A ballot shall take place in the lobbies unless the Member presiding directs otherwise.

Each Member intending to vote shall be provided with a ballot paper bearing the names of the candidates listed in alphabetical order.

Each such Member may vote for only one candidate on the ballot paper.

A ballot shall be declared closed after the expiration of half an hour and counting shall take place under arrangements made by the Clerk of the House.

The Member presiding shall have discretion to vary the timings given in this order and power to give final directions on any matter of doubt arising from the conduct of a ballot or from an individual ballot paper.

As soon as practicable after the votes have been counted the Member presiding shall announce to the House the numbers of votes cast for each candidate.

If a candidate has received more than half the votes cast in a ballot, the Member presiding shall forthwith put the question that that Member do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.

If no candidate has received more than half the votes cast in a ballot the Member presiding shall direct the House to proceed forthwith to a further ballot to which paragraph (12) below shall apply.

In any further ballot no new nominations may be received and the names of-

the candidate who received the fewest votes in the previous ballot;

any candidate who received less than five per cent. of the votes cast in the previous ballot; and

any candidate who, within ten minutes of the announcement in the House of the result of the previous ballot, shall have notified the Member presiding of his intention to withdraw,

shall be removed from the ballot paper, except that where two or more candidates received the same number of votes, their names shall remain on the ballot paper unless paragraph (b) applies.

If the effect of paragraph (12) above is to remove from the ballot paper the name of every candidate except one, the Member presiding shall forthwith put the question that that Member do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 11 (Friday sittings), on any day on which the House meets to elect a Speaker, it shall meet at half-past two o'clock.

No amendment may be offered to the question that a Member do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.

If that question is agreed to, that Member shall thereupon take the Chair as Speaker-elect.

If that question is negatived, the Member presiding shall forthwith adjourn the House to the following day at half-past two o'clock, and the provisions of paragraph (3) above shall apply in respect of a fresh ballot.

At the commencement of every Parliament, or from time to time, as necessity may arise, the House may appoint two Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means, who shall be known respectively as the First and the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, and who shall be entitled to exercise all the powers vested in the Chairman of Ways and Means, including his powers as Deputy Speaker.

At the commencement of every Parliament, or from time to time, as necessity may arise, the Speaker shall notify the House of the arrangements to be made to elect a Chairman of Ways and Means and two Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means, who shall be known respectively as the First and the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.

The election shall be by secret ballot.

Preparatory arrangements for a ballot shall be made under the supervision of the Clerk of the House.

Nominations of candidates shall be in writing and shall be received by the Clerk of the House between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm on the day before the House is to elect the Deputy Speakers.

Each nomination shall consist of a brief signed statement made by the candidate declaring his willingness to stand for election accompanied by the signatures of not fewer than six nor more than 10 Members. No Member shall sign more than three such statements and if any Member does so, his signature shall no longer be valid.

As soon as practicable following the close of nominations, lists of the candidates and their sponsors and the statements shall be placed in the Members' lobby and published.

A ballot shall take place between eleven o'clock and twelve o'clock in a place appointed by the Speaker.

Each Member intending to vote shall be provided with a ballot paper bearing the names of the candidates listed in alphabetical order.

Each such Member may vote for as many or as few candidates on the ballot paper as he wishes, marking them in order of preference.

Counting shall take place under arrangements made by the Clerk of the House.

The ballot shall be counted under the Single Transferable Vote System with constraints that of those elected:

two candidates shall come from the opposite side of the House to that from which the Speaker was drawn, the first of which candidates will be Chairman of Ways and Means and the second, Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means;

one candidate shall come from the same side of the House as that from which the Speaker was drawn and shall be First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means; and

at least one man and at least one woman shall be elected across the four posts of Speaker and Deputy Speakers.

The Speaker shall have discretion to vary the timings given in this order and power to give final directions on any matter of doubt arising from the conduct of a ballot or from an individual ballot paper.

As soon as practicable after the votes have been counted the Speaker shall announce to the House the results of the ballot and direct the Clerk to enter the names of the elected Members in the Journal.

Where a ballot is needed to elect to a single post of Deputy Speaker as a result of a change in the Speaker, the election shall be held with candidates from only the relevant side of the House.

Each Deputy Speaker elected under this order is so elected to serve until the end of the Parliament.

The Deputy Chairman shall be entitled to exercise all powers vested in the Chairman of Ways and Means, including his powers as Deputy Speaker.

The Chairman of Ways and Means or a Deputy Chairman shall take the chair as Deputy Speaker when requested so to do by the Speaker, without any formal communication to the House.

Whenever the House shall be informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence or the absence by leave of the House of the Speaker, or where paragraph (3) of this order applies, the Chairman of Ways and Means shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of the Speaker in relation to all proceedings of this House, as Deputy Speaker, until the Speaker resumes the chair or, if he does not resume the chair during the course of the sitting, until the next meeting of the House, and so on from day to day, on the like information being given to the House, until the House shall otherwise order:

Provided that if the House shall adjourn for more than twenty-four hours the Chairman of Ways and Means shall continue to perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker, as Deputy Speaker, for twenty-four hours only after such adjournment.

For the purpose of paragraph (2) of this order, the Speaker shall have leave of absence, if he thinks fit, on any Friday on which the House sits.

Whenever the House has been informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence or the absence by leave of the House both of the Speaker, and of the Chairman of Ways and Means, the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of the Speaker in accordance with paragraph (2) of this order; and if the House should be so informed of the unavoidable absence or the absence by leave of the House of the First Deputy Chairman also, the Second Deputy Chairman shall perform those duties and exercise that authority.

The Speaker shall nominate not fewer than ten Members to act as temporary chairs of committees when requested by the Chairman of Ways and Means.

The Members nominated in accordance with the preceding paragraph together with the Chairman of Ways and Means and the Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means shall constitute the Panel of Chairs.

Every person returned as a Member of this House may make and subscribe a solemn affirmation in the form prescribed by statute instead of taking an oath.

Members may take and subscribe the oath required by law at any time during the sitting of the House, before the orders of the day and notices of motions have been entered upon, or after they have been disposed of; but no debate or business shall be interrupted for that purpose.

No Member's name shall be affixed to any seat in the House before the hour of prayers; and the Speaker shall give directions to the doorkeepers accordingly.

Any Member having secured a seat at prayers shall be entitled to retain the same until the rising of the House.

Subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 1B (Election of Speaker by secret ballot), the House shall meet on Mondays at half-past two o'clock, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at half-past eleven o'clock and on Thursdays at half-past nine o'clock and will first proceed with private business, motions for unopposed returns and questions: Provided that, when the House sits on a Tuesday or Wednesday which immediately follows a periodic adjournment of more than two days or is the first day of a Session, references to specific times in the Standing Orders of this House shall apply as if that day were a Monday.

No motion for the adjournment of the House shall be made on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until all the questions asked at the commencement of public business shall have been disposed of, and, save as provided in paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates), no Member other than a Minister of the Crown may make such a motion on any day before the orders of the day or notices of motions shall have been entered upon.

At ten o'clock on Mondays, at seven o'clock on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at five o'clock on Thursdays (the 'moment of interruption'), the proceedings on any business then under consideration shall, save as otherwise provided in paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), be interrupted; and, if the House be in committee, the occupant of the chair shall leave the chair, and report progress and ask leave to sit again; and if a motion has been made for the adjournment of the House (unless that motion is included in a motion to be made after the interruption of business under paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business)), or of the debate, or that the House has considered a specified matter, or in committee that the occupant of the chair do report progress, or do leave the chair, every such motion shall lapse.

On the interruption of business the closure may be claimed; and if moved, or if proceedings under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) be then in progress, the Speaker or the occupant of the chair shall not leave the chair until the questions consequent thereon and any further question, as provided in Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate), have been decided.

An order of the day not disposed of before the termination of a sitting shall be deferred to such day being a day on which the House ordinarily sits as the Member in charge of that order may appoint and any order of the day not reached before the termination of a sitting shall, unless the Member in charge of the order has given other instructions to the Clerk at the Table, stand over until the next sitting.

After the business under consideration at the moment of interruption has been disposed of, no opposed business shall be taken, save as provided in Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business).

The House shall not be adjourned except in pursuance of a resolution or by the Speaker in pursuance of Standing Order No. 46 (Power of the Speaker to adjourn House or suspend sitting): Provided that, when a substantive motion for the adjournment of the House has been made at or after the moment of interruption, the Speaker shall, after the expiration of half an hour after that motion has been made, adjourn the House without putting any question.

On days on which the House sits there shall also be a sitting in Westminster Hall-

on Mondays beginning at 4.30pm and continuing for up to three hours, if the Petitions Committee has reported its determination that a sitting in Westminster Hall to consider one or more petitions or e-petitions should take place on that day;

on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning at 9.30 am, which shall be suspended from 11.30 am till 2.30 pm and may then continue for up to a further three hours; and

on Thursdays beginning at 1.30 pm and continuing for up to three hours.

The exceptions are as follows:

that there will be no sittings in Westminster Hall until the House has concluded its debate on the Queen's Speech at the commencement of each Session; and

that if the sitting occurs on a Tuesday or Wednesday which is the first day on which the House sits immediately following a periodic adjournment of the House of more than two days, the sitting shall be between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm.

When a sitting (including the time when a sitting is due to commence or resume), or any part of a sitting, in Westminster Hall coincides with a sitting of the House, the Chair shall suspend the sitting to allow Members to participate in any division called in the House or a committee of the whole House, and the time taken for any such suspensions shall be added to the duration of the sitting in Westminster Hall specified in paragraph (1) of this order and to any time specified by the Chairman of Ways and Means under paragraph (6) of this order.

Any Member of the House may take part in a sitting in Westminster Hall.

The quorum at a sitting in Westminster Hall shall be three.

The business taken at any sitting in Westminster Hall shall be such as the Chairman of Ways and Means shall appoint, and may include oral questions. The Chairman of Ways and Means may specify the finishing time of any business taken at a sitting in Westminster Hall; and the motion under consideration shall lapse at that time if not previously disposed of.

Notwithstanding paragraph (6), the business taken at any Thursday sitting in Westminster Hall shall be such as the Backbench Business Committee or the Liaison Committee shall determine; and so far as possible the time available at such sittings during a Session shall be divided as nearly as practical equally between those committees, subject to the agreement of the Chairs of those committees.

If a motion is made by a Minister of the Crown that an order of the day be proceeded with at a sitting in Westminster Hall, the question on it shall be put forthwith, but such motion may be made only with the leave of the House and may not be made on a Friday.

If any business other than a motion for adjournment or a motion to which Standing Order No. 24B (Amendments to motions to consider specified matters) applies is under consideration at a sitting in Westminster Hall, and not fewer than six Members rise in their places and signify their objection to further proceedings, that business shall not be further proceeded with in Westminster Hall, and the Chair shall report to the House accordingly, and any order under paragraph (8) above relating thereto shall be discharged.

The Chairman of Ways and Means or a Deputy Chairman may take the chair in Westminster Hall as Deputy Speaker; and any member of the Panel of Chairs may also take the chair at a sitting in Westminster Hall when so requested by the Chairman of Ways and Means.

If any Member persistently defies the authority of the Chair at a sitting in Westminster Hall, the Chair of that sitting may order the Member to withdraw from that sitting; and if the Member does not do so, the Chair may suspend the sitting and report the conduct of the Member to the House.

Any resolution come to at a sitting in Westminster Hall (other than a resolution to adjourn) shall be reported to the House by the Deputy Speaker and shall be a resolution of the House.

If at a sitting in Westminster Hall the opinion of the Chair as to the decision of a question (other than a question for adjournment) is challenged, that question shall not be decided, and the Chair shall report to the House accordingly; and any such question shall be put forthwith upon a motion being made in the House.

At the end of each sitting in Westminster Hall, unless a question for adjournment has previously been agreed to, the Chair shall adjourn the sitting without putting any question; and proceedings on any business which has been started but not disposed of shall lapse.

The provisions of Standing Orders No. 29 (Powers of chair to propose question), No. 36 (Closure of debate), No. 37 (Majority for closure or for proposal of question), No. 38 (Procedure on divisions), No. 39 (Voting), No. 40 (Division unnecessarily claimed), No. 41 (Quorum), No. 43 (Disorderly conduct), No. 44 (Order in debate), No. 45 (Members suspended, &c., to withdraw from precincts), No. 45A (Suspension of salary of Members suspended) and No. 163 (Motions to sit in private) shall not apply to sittings in Westminster Hall.

Subject to Standing Order No. 12 (House not to sit on certain Fridays), the House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

the insertion of references to half-past two o'clock as the moment of interruption; and

the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the occupant of the chair shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

Unless the House otherwise orders, the House shall not sit on any Friday other than those on which private Members' bills have precedence.

At its rising on the Thursday before a Friday on which the House is not sitting the House shall stand adjourned till the following Monday without any question being put, unless it shall have resolved otherwise.

Unless the House shall have resolved to adjourn otherwise than from the previous Thursday to the following Monday, the Fridays on which the House does not sit shall be treated as sitting days for the purpose of calculating any period under any order of the House and for the purposes of paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 22 (Notices of questions, motions and amendments) and of Standing Order No. 64 (Notices of amendments, &c., to bills); and on such Fridays-

notices of questions may be given by Members to the Table Office, and

notices of amendments to bills, new clauses and new schedules and of amendments to Lords amendments, and notices of Consent Motions under Standing Order No. 83M (Consent Motions for certified England only or England and Wales only provisions) and of motions relating to proceedings on bills committed to a public bill committee, may be received by the Public Bill Office,

between eleven o'clock and three o'clock.

Whenever the House stands adjourned and it is represented to the Speaker by Her Majesty's Ministers that the public interest requires that the House should meet at a time earlier than that to which the House stands adjourned, the Speaker, if he is satisfied that the public interest does so require, may give notice that, being so satisfied, he appoints a time for the House to meet, and the House shall accordingly meet at the time stated in such notice.

The government business to be transacted on the day on which the House shall so meet shall, subject to the publication of notice thereof in the order paper to be circulated on the day on which the House shall so meet, be such as the government may appoint, but subject as aforesaid the House shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to the day on which it shall so meet, and any government order of the day and government notices of motions that may stand on the order book for any day shall be appointed for the day on which the House shall so meet.

In the event of the Speaker being unable to act owing to illness or other cause, the Chairman of Ways and Means, or either Deputy Chairman, shall act in his stead for the purposes of this order.

Save as provided in this order, government business shall have precedence at every sitting.

Twenty days shall be allotted in each session for proceedings on opposition business, seventeen of which shall be at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition and three of which shall be at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party; and matters selected on those days shall have precedence over government business provided that-

two Friday sittings shall be deemed equivalent to a single sitting on any other day;

on any day other than Friday, not more than two of the days at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition may be taken in the form of four half days, and one of the days at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party may be taken in the form of two half days; and

on any such half day, proceedings under this paragraph shall either-

lapse at seven o'clock on Monday, four o'clock on Tuesday or Wednesday or two o'clock on Thursday if not previously concluded, or

be set down for consideration at the hour specified in sub-paragraph (i) above and, except on days on which private business has been set down for consideration under the provisions of paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), shall be entered upon at that time:

Provided that on days on which business stands over until seven o'clock, four o'clock or two o'clock under the provisions of Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) proceedings under this sub-paragraph shall not be entered upon until such business has been disposed of, and may then be proceeded with for three hours, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House).

For the purposes of this order 'the second largest opposition party' shall be that party, of those not represented in Her Majesty's Government, which has the second largest number of Members elected to the House as members of that party.

Thirty-five days or its equivalent shall be allotted in each session for proceedings in the House and in Westminster Hall on backbench business of which at least twenty-seven shall be allotted for proceedings in the House; the business determined by the Backbench Business Committee shall have precedence over government business (other than any order of the day or notice of motion on which the question is to be put forthwith) on those days; and the provisions of paragraph (2)(c) of this Standing Order shall apply to any of those days taken in the House in the form of half-days.

For the purposes of paragraph (4) above, a Thursday sitting in Westminster Hall at which the business is appointed by the Backbench Business Committee shall count as one half-day and a topical debate shall count as one quarter-day.

Backbench business comprises all proceedings in the Chamber relating to any motion or order of the day except:

government business, that is proceedings relating to government bills, financial business, proceedings under any Act of Parliament, or relating to European Union Documents, or any other motion in the name of a Minister of the Crown;

opposition business under paragraph (2) above;

motions for the adjournment of the House under paragraph (7) of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House), private Members' motions for leave to bring in bills under Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business) and private Members' bills under paragraphs (8) to (13) below;

proceedings relating to private business;

any motion to amend this order or Standing Order No. 152J (Backbench Business Committee);

business set down at the direction of, or given precedence by, the Speaker.

The proceedings to be taken as backbench business shall be determined by the Backbench Business Committee, as set out in Standing Order No. 152J (Backbench Business Committee).

Private Members' bills shall have precedence over government business on thirteen Fridays in each session to be appointed by the House.

On and after the eighth Friday on which private Members' bills have precedence, such bills shall be arranged on the order paper in the following order- consideration of Lords amendments, third readings, consideration of reports not already entered upon, adjourned proceedings on consideration, bills in progress in committee, bills appointed for committee, and second readings.

The ballot for private Members' bills shall be held on the second Thursday on which the House shall sit during the session under arrangements to be made by the Speaker, and each bill shall be presented by the Member who has given notice of presentation or by another Member named by him in writing to the Clerks at the Table, at the commencement of public business on the fifth Wednesday on which the House shall sit during the session.

Until after the fifth Wednesday on which the House shall sit during the session, no private Member shall-

give notice of a motion for leave to bring in a bill under Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business); or

give notice for presenting a bill under Standing Order No. 57 (Presentation and first reading); or

inform the Clerks at the Table of his intention to take charge of a bill which has been brought from the Lords.

A private Member's bill to which the provisions of paragraphs (2) to (6) of Standing Order No. 97 (Scottish Grand Committee (bills in relation to their principle)) have applied, and which has been considered by a Scottish public bill committee, shall not be set down for consideration on report so as to have precedence over any private Member's bill so set down which was read a second time on a day preceding that on which the bill was reported from the Scottish Grand Committee under paragraph (3) of that Standing Order.

An order appointing a day for the second reading of a private Member's bill shall lapse at the rising of the House on the preceding sitting day if at that time the bill has not been printed and delivered to the Vote Office, and the House shall make no further order appointing a day for the second reading of the bill until it has been printed.

The following business may be proceeded with at any hour though opposed, shall not, save for the purpose of moving a motion pursuant to paragraph (2) of this order, be interrupted at the moment of interruption, and, if under discussion when business is postponed under the provisions of any standing order, may be resumed, though opposed, after the interruption of business:

proceedings on a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution;

proceedings in pursuance of any standing order of this House which provides that proceedings, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business;

proceedings on a motion such as is referred to in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 121 (Nomination of select committees) for the nomination or discharge of members of select committees to which that paragraph applies which has been opposed at or after the interruption of business on a preceding day: Provided that any questions necessary to dispose of the proceedings on such a motion shall be put at eleven o'clock on Monday, eight o'clock on Tuesday or Wednesday or six o'clock on Thursday or one hour after the commencement of those proceedings, whichever is the later.

If a notice of motion in the name of a Minister of the Crown stands upon the order paper at the commencement of public business to the effect that any specified business may be proceeded with at this day's sitting though opposed-

until any hour;

until a specified hour; or

until either a specified hour or the end of a specified period after it has been entered upon, whichever is the later;

or in a form combining any or all of these effects in respect of different items of business, the motion shall stand over and may not be made until after the interruption of business and shall then be proceeded with, though opposed, in accordance with the following paragraphs of this order provided that on any day on which the Speaker is directed to put questions at the moment of interruption pursuant to paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates), any such motion shall stand over until those questions have been decided.

If the business interrupted is included in the business specified in the motion or in paragraph (1) of this order, the Speaker shall, immediately after the interruption of business, or if the House has been in committee, before any day is named for the House again to resolve itself into that committee, call upon the Minister to move his motion and the question thereon shall be put forthwith, and after that question has been decided the consideration of the business interrupted shall be resumed if such business is included in the business specified in paragraph (1) of this order or if the question be resolved in the affirmative.

If the business interrupted is not included in the business specified in the motion or in paragraph (1) of this order, the Speaker shall call upon the Minister to move his motion at the conclusion of any proceedings arising on the interruption of business under the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House) but before the resumption of any proceedings postponed under Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business) or Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates).

If a motion made under either of the two preceding paragraphs be agreed to, the business so specified shall be proceeded with as if it were included in the business specified in paragraph (1) of this order, save that-

business which may be proceeded with until a specified hour may not, if opposed, be entered upon or resumed after that hour and the proceedings thereon if not previously concluded shall be interrupted at that hour;

when proceedings on such business have been postponed under the provisions of Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates), such business may be proceeded with after the specified hour for a further period of time equal to the duration of the proceedings upon the motion under the said Standing Order No. 24; and

the proceedings upon business which may be proceeded with until either a specified hour or the end of a specified period after it has been entered upon, whichever is the later, shall if not previously concluded be interrupted at that hour or at the end of that period, as the case may be.

Not more than one motion under paragraph (2) of this order may be made at any one sitting and after any business proceeding under the provisions of this order is disposed of after the moment of interruption, the remaining business of the sitting shall be dealt with according to the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House) applicable to business taken after the moment of interruption.

The Speaker shall put the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings under any Act of Parliament or on European Union documents (as defined in Standing Order No. 143 (European Scrutiny Committee)) not later than one and a half hours after the commencement of such proceedings, subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)).

Business to which this order applies may be proceeded with at any hour, though opposed.

No proceedings on a motion to which this order applies shall be entered upon at or after half-past eleven o'clock on Monday, half-past eight o'clock on Tuesday or Wednesday or half-past six o'clock on Thursday.

If such a motion is under consideration at that hour, the Speaker shall forthwith put any question which may be requisite to bring to a decision any question already proposed from the chair: Provided that, if he shall be of opinion that-

owing to the lateness of the hour at which consideration of the motion was entered upon, or

because of the importance of the subject matter of the motion,

the time for debate has not been adequate, he shall interrupt the business and the debate shall stand adjourned till the next sitting (other than a Friday).

A debate which has been adjourned under paragraph (2) of this order shall not be resumed less than half an hour before the time specified in paragraph (1) of this order, but shall stand further adjourned till the next sitting (other than a Friday), and the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall apply to any debate which has been further adjourned under this paragraph as if the further adjournment were an adjournment under paragraph (2) of the order.

This order applies to proceedings under an Act of Parliament on-

any motion for an humble address to Her Majesty praying that a statutory instrument be annulled, and any motion that a draft of an Order in Council be not submitted to Her Majesty in Council, or that a statutory instrument be not made,

any motion that, or for an humble address to Her Majesty praying that, any other document be annulled, or cease to be in force, or be not made or be disapproved, or words to that effect.

If the Regulatory Reform Committee has recommended under paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 141 (Regulatory Reform Committee) or paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 142 (Localism Act 2011, etc.: scrutiny of certain orders and draft orders) that a draft order subject to the affirmative procedure should be approved, or has recommended under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 141 (Regulatory Reform Committee) or paragraph (7) of Standing Order No. 142 (Localism Act 2011, etc.: scrutiny of certain orders and draft orders) that a draft order should be approved, and a motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to that effect, the question thereon shall-

if the committee's recommendation was agreed without a division, be put forthwith; and

if the committee's recommendation was agreed after a division, be put not later than one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the motion.

If the committee has recommended under paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 141 (Regulatory Reform Committee) or paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 142 (Localism Act 2011, etc.: scrutiny of certain orders and draft orders) that a draft order subject to the affirmative procedure be not approved, or has recommended under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 141 (Regulatory Reform Committee) or paragraph (7) of Standing Order No. 142 (Localism Act 2011, etc.: scrutiny of certain orders and draft orders) that a draft order be not approved, no motion to approve the draft order shall be made unless the House has previously resolved to disagree with the committee's report; the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the motion for such a resolution shall be put not later than three hours after their commencement; and the question on any motion thereafter made by a Minister of the Crown that the draft order be approved shall be put forthwith.

If the committee has recommended under paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 141 (Regulatory Reform Committee) or paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 142 (Localism Act 2011, etc.: scrutiny of certain orders and draft orders) that a draft order subject to the negative resolution procedure should not be made (and that the recommendation is not intended to operate section 16(4) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006), that recommendation shall be deemed to constitute notice of a motion under sub-paragraph (4)(a) of Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees).

Motions under paragraphs (1) or (2) of this order may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.

If a Motion to the effect that the Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a Member is proposed to be made or is made after prayers on any day on which private Members' bills have precedence, and is opposed, proceedings thereon shall lapse.

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the time for private business shall end not later than a quarter of an hour after the House sits and business entered upon and not disposed of at that hour shall be deferred to such time as the Chairman of Ways and Means may appoint. Business not reached shall stand over to the next sitting, or in the case of opposed business until the next sitting other than a Friday.

During the time of private business, opposed business shall not be proceeded with but shall be deferred to such time, other than a Friday, as the Chairman of Ways and Means may appoint.

Opposed business shall include any proceedings on a private bill or a confirming bill which have been deferred under paragraph (2) of this order, so long as a notice of an amendment stands upon the order paper in the form of a notice of motion (other than a notice of motion in the name of the Chairman of Ways and Means) on second reading, consideration or third reading of such bill: Provided that no such notice of motion shall stand on the order paper for more than seven days unless renewed.

No opposed business shall be taken on a Friday.

Business deferred under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this order shall be considered at the time of private business on the day appointed unless the Chairman of Ways and Means directs that such business shall be set down for seven o'clock on any specified Monday, four o'clock on any specified Tuesday or Wednesday or two o'clock on any specified Thursday, and business so set down (including any motion contingent directly or otherwise upon any item of such business) shall be taken in such order as the Chairman of Ways and Means may determine: Provided that business so set down shall be distributed as nearly as may be proportionately between the sittings on which government business has precedence and other sittings.

On any day specified under paragraph (5) of this order at seven o'clock, four o'clock or two o'clock or as soon thereafter as any motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) has been disposed of, the business set down by direction of the Chairman of Ways and Means shall be entered upon and may be proceeded with subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House).

Questions shall be taken on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, after private business and motions for unopposed returns have been disposed of.

No question shall be taken more than one hour after the House sits, except questions which have not appeared on the order paper but which are in the Speaker's opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business.

Any questions tabled for written answer on a day on which the House does not sit by reason of the continuance of a previous sitting shall be deemed to be questions for written answer on the next sitting day and shall appear in the questions book for that day.

Notices of questions shall be given by Members in writing to the Table Office in a form determined by the Speaker.

A notice of a question, or of an amendment to a motion standing on the order paper for which no day has been fixed or of the addition of a name in support of such a motion or amendment, which is given later than half an hour after the moment of interruption shall be treated for all purposes as if it were a notice handed in after the rising of the House.

A Member shall indicate on the notice of any question whether it is for oral or written answer and a Member may indicate a date for answer of a question for written answer in accordance with paragraph (4) of this order.

Where a Member has indicated that a question is for written answer on a named day the Minister shall cause an answer to be given to the Member on the date for which notice has been given, provided that-

notice has appeared at latest on the notice paper circulated two days (excluding Saturday and Sunday) before that on which an answer is desired; and

a Member may not table more than five such questions on any one day.

Notice of a question for oral answer may be given only for answer on the next day on which the Member to whom it is addressed is due to give oral answers; and in respect of each such day the Speaker shall specify the latest date and time at which notice may be given and how many questions are to be printed for each Member answering; and only that number of notices of questions (selected at random from those received in a manner to be prescribed by the Speaker) shall be treated as valid notices received on the day concerned: Provided that the latest date and time specified by the Speaker shall be such as to enable the notices selected to be printed and circulated-

in the case of questions to the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and the Advocate General at least four days (excluding Friday, Saturday and Sunday) before the question is to be answered, or

in the case of questions to other Ministers, at least two days (excluding Friday, Saturday and Sunday) before the question is to be answered.

When it is proposed that the House should adjourn for a period of more than three days the Speaker shall cause to have printed and circulated with the Vote a memorandum superseding the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this order and specifying the arrangements for tabling questions during the adjournment.

A Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, or other Member of the House to whom written questions may be addressed may give notice of an intention to make a statement in written form on a specified day not later than five sitting days after the day on which notice was given: and such statements shall be printed in the Official Report.

Notices of questions for written answer on a named day by a Minister of the Crown may be given on three appointed tabling days, for answer on three appointed answering days, between 2 and 21 September.

A motion to appoint tabling days and answering days under paragraph (1) may be made by a Minister of the Crown; and the question on such a motion shall be put forthwith and may be decided, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.

Notices of questions for named day answer on one of the appointed answering days, received by the Table Office on any day after the rising of the House for the summer adjournment, shall be treated as if given on-

that day, if they are received on an appointed tabling day; or

the next appointed tabling day, if they are received on any other day,

and a Member may not give notice of more than five such questions in respect of each appointed tabling day.

Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (4)(a) of Standing Order No. 22 (Notices of questions, motions and amendments), no notice of a question may be given under this order for a day earlier than five days (excluding Saturday and Sunday) after the day on which the notice is given.

A Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, may give notice on an appointed tabling day of his intention to make a ministerial statement in written form on an appointed answering day.

In the event of a recall of the House under Standing Order No. 13 (Earlier meeting of House in certain circumstances), the Speaker may publish a memorandum amending the arrangements made under this order.

Motions which would have a direct consequence of additional expenditure under the House of Commons: Administration Estimate estimated to be £50,000 or more shall not be considered by the House unless a memorandum setting out their expected financial consequences has been made available to the House.

The Accounting Officer shall make such a memorandum available to the House within a reasonable time of a motion to which this Order applies being tabled.

This Order shall also apply to amendments to motions which would have the expenditure consequences set out in paragraph (1); but the absence of such a memorandum shall not prevent the House from considering such an amendment.

In his decision as to the selection of such an amendment, the Speaker shall, in addition to such other considerations as may, in his view, be relevant, take into account whether sufficient time has been available for the House to be provided with adequate information regarding the financial consequences.

The Speaker shall decide whether a motion or amendment falls within the terms of this Order.

On any day allotted for proceedings in the House on backbench business (and not being taken in the form of a half-day), or on any Thursday sitting in Westminster Hall other than one to which sub-paragraph (b) applies, the Backbench Business Committee may determine that a statement will be made on the publication of a select committee report or announcement of an inquiry.

The Liaison Committee may determine that such a statement may be made in Westminster Hall on any day appointed under paragraph (7) of Standing Order No. 10 (Sittings in Westminster Hall).

A statement on the publication of a select committee report or announcement of an inquiry-

shall be made by the chair or another member of the select committee acting on its behalf;

shall take place-

in the House, after questions and any ministerial statements, or

in Westminster Hall, at the commencement of proceedings.

A statement made under paragraph (1) above may not take place later than 5 sitting days after the day on which the report is published or inquiry announced.

The Member making a statement may answer questions on it asked by Members called by the Chair, but no question shall be taken after the end of any period specified by the Backbench Business Committee or the Liaison Committee in its determination.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and, if given by a Minister of the Crown, on Mondays and Thursdays, notices of motions for leave to bring in bills, and for the nomination of select committees, may be set down for consideration at the commencement of public business. The Speaker, after permitting, if he thinks fit, a brief explanatory statement from the Member who makes and from a Member who opposes any such motion respectively, shall put either the question thereon, or the question, 'That the debate be now adjourned'.

With respect to a private Member's motion for leave to bring in a bill under this order-

notice shall be given in the Public Bill Office by the Member in person or by another Member on his behalf, but on any one day not more than one notice shall be accepted from any one Member;

no notice shall be given for a day on which a notice of motion under this order already stands on the paper;

no notice shall be given for a day earlier than the fifth or later than the fifteenth sitting day after the day on which it is given;

not more than one such notice shall stand on the paper in the name of any one Member for a day within any period of fifteen sitting days.

No notice may be given under this order for a day on which Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer has declared his intention of opening his Budget; but-

notices proposed to be given for such day, and

notices so given for a day in respect of which such intention is subsequently declared,

shall be treated as having been given for the first Monday on which the House shall sit after the Budget is opened, and may be proceeded with on that day as though it were a Tuesday or a Wednesday.

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday a Member rising in his place at the commencement of public business may propose, in an application lasting not more than three minutes, that the House should debate a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration. If the Speaker is satisfied that the matter is proper to be so debated, the Member shall either obtain the leave of the House, or, if such leave be refused, the assent of not fewer than forty Members who shall thereupon rise in their places to support the motion, or, if fewer than forty Members and not fewer than ten shall thereupon rise in their places, the House shall, on a division, upon question put forthwith, determine whether such motion shall be made.

If leave is given or the motion is so supported or the House so determines that it shall be made-

the debate shall be held on a motion that the House has considered the specified matter; and

the Speaker shall announce either-

the length of the debate and the time at which it is to be held; or

that he will make such a statement at a later named hour during that sitting.

Proceedings in respect of a debate under this order may last not more than three hours and, at the conclusion of the time allocated to them, pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) of this order, the motion, unless otherwise disposed of, shall lapse.

A Member intending to make an application under this order shall give notice to the Speaker by twelve o'clock on a Monday, half-past ten o'clock on a Tuesday or Wednesday or nine o'clock on a Thursday, if the urgency of the matter is known at that hour. If the urgency is not so known he shall give notice as soon thereafter as is practicable. If the Speaker so desires he may defer giving his decision upon whether the matter is proper to be discussed until a named hour, when he may interrupt the proceedings of the House for the purpose.

In determining whether a matter is proper to be discussed the Speaker shall have regard to the extent to which it concerns the administrative responsibilities of Ministers of the Crown or could come within the scope of ministerial action. In determining whether a matter is urgent the Speaker shall have regard to the probability of the matter being brought before the House in time by other means.

The Speaker shall state whether or not he is satisfied that the matter is proper to be discussed without giving the reasons for his decision to the House.

If the Speaker announces that the debate will take place on the same day as the application is made, proceedings on any business postponed as the result of that announcement, may continue, following the conclusion of proceedings on that debate, for the same time beyond the moment of interruption as that taken by the debate, and shall not be interrupted, except as provided in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business).

The Backbench Business Committee may indicate that proceedings on a motion, That the House has considered a specified matter, being a matter of regional, national or international importance, are to be conducted as a topical debate.

A topical debate shall last for not more than one and a half hours, at which time the motion, unless previously disposed of, shall lapse.

Where, in the opinion of the Speaker or the Chair, a motion, That this House, or, as the case may be, the committee has considered the matter, is expressed in neutral terms, no amendments to it may be tabled.

When a motion shall have been made by a Minister of the Crown for the adjournment of the House for a specified period or periods, the question thereon shall be put forthwith, and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

Upon the Speaker's direction, the Clerk shall read the orders of the day, without any question being put.

The orders of the day shall be disposed of in the order in which they stand upon the paper, the right being reserved to Her Majesty's Ministers of arranging government business, whether orders of the day or notices of motion, in such order as they think fit.

In determining whether a discussion is out of order on the ground of anticipation, regard shall be had by the Speaker to the probability of the matter anticipated being brought before the House within a reasonable time.

When a Member is in the course of making a motion or moving an amendment at any stage of proceedings on a bill, a Member rising in his place may claim to move, 'That the question be now proposed', and, unless it shall appear to the chair that such motion is an abuse of the rules of the House, the question, 'That the question be now proposed', shall be put forthwith.

This order shall apply in committee only when the Chairman of Ways and Means or either Deputy Chairman is in the chair.

Notwithstanding the practice of the House which prohibits in a debate on a motion for the adjournment of the House any reference to matters requiring legislative remedy, the Speaker may permit such incidental reference to legislative action as he may consider relevant to any matter of administration then under debate when enforcement of the prohibition would, in his opinion, unduly restrict the discussion of such matter.

When an amendment has been moved, the question to be proposed thereon shall be, 'That the amendment be made', except that-

when to the question 'That a bill be now read a second time (or the third time)' an amendment has been moved to leave out the word 'now', the question shall be, 'That the word "now" stand part of the question'; and

on the twenty days allotted under paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business),

where to any substantive motion an amendment has been moved by a Minister of the Crown to leave out a word or words and insert (or add) others, the question shall be, 'That the original words stand part of the question', and, if that question be passed in the negative, the question 'That the proposed words be there inserted (or added)' shall be put forthwith;

if such amendment involves leaving out all the effective words of the motion the Speaker shall, after the amendment has been disposed of, forthwith declare the main question (as amended or not as the case may be) to be agreed to.

In respect of any motion or any bill under consideration on report or any Lords amendment to a bill, the Speaker shall have power to select the amendments, new clauses or new schedules to be proposed thereto.

In committee of the whole House, the Chairman of Ways and Means and either Deputy Chairman shall have the like power to select the amendments, new clauses or new schedules to be proposed.

The Speaker, or in a committee of the whole House, the Chairman of Ways and Means or either Deputy Chairman, may, if he think fit, call upon any Member who has given notice of an amendment, new clause or new schedule to give such explanation of the object thereof as may enable him to form a judgement upon it.

For the purposes of this order, motions for instructions to committees on bills, motions to commit or re-commit bills and motions relating to the proceedings on bills shall be treated as if they were amendments under paragraph (1) of this order.

The powers conferred on the Speaker by this order shall not be exercised by the Deputy Speaker save during the consideration of the estimates.

In respect of a motion for an address in answer to Her Majesty's Speech, the Speaker may select up to four amendments of which notice has been given.

No amendment may be selected before the penultimate day of the debate on such a motion.

If, on the last day on which such a motion is debated in the House, an amendment to it proposed by the Leader of the Opposition shall have been disposed of at or after the expiration of the time for opposed business, any further amendments selected by the Speaker may thereupon be moved, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

When a motion is made for the adjournment of a debate or of the House during any debate or of further consideration of a bill or of the Lords amendments to a bill or that the chair do report progress, or do leave the chair, the debate thereupon shall be confined to the matter of such motion; and no Member, having made any such motion, shall be entitled to make any similar motion during the same debate.

If the Speaker, or the chair, shall be of opinion that a dilatory motion is an abuse of the rules of the House, he may forthwith put the question thereupon from the chair, or he may decline to propose the question thereupon to the House or the committee.

For the purposes of this order the expression 'dilatory motion' shall include a motion for the adjournment of a debate, or of the House, during any debate, or of further consideration of a bill or of the Lords amendments to a bill, or that the occupant of the chair do report progress or do leave the chair.

After a question has been proposed a Member rising in his place may claim to move, 'That the question be now put,' and, unless it shall appear to the chair that such motion is an abuse of the rules of the House, or an infringement of the rights of the minority, the question 'That the question be now put,' shall be put forthwith.

When a question 'That the question be now put' has been decided in the affirmative, and the question consequent thereon has been decided, a Member may claim that any further question be put which may be requisite to bring to a decision any question already proposed from the chair, and if the assent of the chair, as aforesaid, be not withheld, any question so claimed shall be put forthwith.

This order shall apply in committee only when the Chairman of Ways and Means or either Deputy Chairman is in the chair.

If a division be held upon a question for the closure of debate under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) or for the proposal of the question under Standing Order No. 29 (Powers of chair to propose question), that question shall not be decided in the affirmative unless it appears by the numbers declared from the chair that not fewer than one hundred Members voted in the majority in support of the motion.

If the opinion of the Speaker or the chair as to the decision of a question is challenged he shall direct that the lobby be cleared.

Not more than two minutes from this direction he shall put the question again, and, if his opinion is again challenged, he shall announce the names of tellers.

After the lapse of at least eight minutes from the direction to clear the lobby he shall direct that the doors giving access to the division lobbies be locked.

A Member may vote in a division although he did not hear the question put.

A Member is not obliged to vote.

The Speaker or the chair may, after the lapse of two minutes, if in his opinion the division is unnecessarily claimed, take the vote of the House, or committee, by calling upon the Members who support, and who challenge, his decision, successively to rise in their places; and he shall thereupon, as he thinks fit, either declare the determination of the House or committee, or name tellers for a division.

If it should appear that fewer than forty Members (including the occupant of the chair and the tellers) have taken part in a division, the business under consideration shall stand over until the next sitting of the House and the next business shall be taken.

The House shall not be counted at any time.

Except as provided in paragraph (2), Standing Order No. 38 (Procedure on divisions) shall not apply if, after the time for the interruption of business, the opinion of the Speaker as to the decision on a question is challenged in respect of any question.

Standing Order No. 38 (Procedure on divisions) shall apply (and this order shall not apply) to questions-

on motions or amendments in the course of proceedings on bills or allocating time to or programming such proceedings;

on motions which may be made without notice;

on motions to be disposed of immediately following the disposal of amendments proposed thereto, and on such amendments;

on motions made under-

paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business);

paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 51 (Ways and means motions);

sub-paragraph (1)(a) of Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills);

paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates); and

paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 55 (Questions on voting of estimates, &c.); and

on motions made under paragraph (3) below or to which an order made under that paragraph applies.

After the moment of interruption and the conclusion of proceedings under any other Standing Order which fall to be taken immediately after it, a Minister of the Crown may make a motion to the effect that this order shall not apply to questions on any specified motions; such motion may be proceeded with, though opposed, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

If the opinion of the Speaker is challenged under paragraph (1) of this order, he shall defer the division until half-past eleven o'clock on the next Wednesday on which the House shall sit.

On any Wednesday to which a division has been deferred under paragraph (4) above-

Members may record their votes on the question under arrangements made by the Speaker;

votes may be recorded for two and a half hours after half-past eleven o'clock, no account being taken of any period during which the House or committee proceeds to a division; and

the Speaker, or the chair, shall announce the result of the deferred division as soon as may be after the expiry of the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) above.

The Speaker, or the chair, after having called the attention of the House, or of the committee, to the conduct of a Member who persists in irrelevance, or tedious repetition either of his own arguments or of the arguments used by other Members in debate, may direct him to discontinue his speech.

The Speaker, or the chair, may direct any Member who breaches the terms of the sub judice resolution of the House to resume his seat.

The Speaker, or the chair, shall order any Member or Members whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the House during the remainder of that day's sitting; and the Serjeant at Arms shall act on such orders as he may receive from the chair in pursuance of this order. But if on any occasion the Speaker, or the chair, deems that his powers under the previous provisions of this order are inadequate, he may name such Member or Members, in which event the same procedure shall be followed as is prescribed by Standing Order No. 44 (Order in debate).

Whenever a Member shall have been named by the Speaker, or by the chair, immediately after the commission of the offence of disregarding the authority of the chair, or of persistently and wilfully obstructing the business of the House by abusing the rules of the House or otherwise, then if the offence has been committed by such Member in the House, the Speaker shall forthwith put the question, on a motion being made, 'That such Member be suspended from the service of the House'; and if the offence has been committed in a committee of the whole House, the chair shall forthwith suspend the proceedings of the committee and report the circumstances to the House; and the Speaker shall on a motion being made forthwith put the same question as if the offence had been committed in the House itself. Proceedings in pursuance of this paragraph, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business.

If any Member be suspended under paragraph (1) of this order, his suspension on the first occasion shall continue for five sitting days, and on the second occasion for twenty sitting days, including in either case the day on which he was suspended, but, on any subsequent occasion, until the House shall resolve that the suspension of such Member do terminate.

Not more than one Member shall be named at the same time, unless two or more Members, present together, have jointly disregarded the authority of the chair.

If a Member, or two or more Members acting jointly, who have been suspended under this order from the service of the House, shall refuse to obey the direction of the Speaker, when severally summoned under the Speaker's orders by the Serjeant at Arms to obey such direction, the Speaker shall call the attention of the House to the fact that recourse to force is necessary in order to compel obedience to his direction, and the Member or Members named by him as having refused to obey his direction shall thereupon and without any further question being put be suspended from the service of the House during the remainder of the session.

Nothing in this order shall be taken to deprive the House of the power of proceeding against any Member according to ancient usages.

Members who are ordered to withdraw under Standing Order No. 43 (Disorderly conduct) or who are suspended from the service of the House shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.

Suspension from the service of the House shall not exempt the Member so suspended from serving on any committee for the consideration of a private bill to which he may have been appointed before the suspension.

The salary of a Member suspended from the service of the House shall be withheld for the duration of his suspension.

In the case of grave disorder arising in the House the Speaker may, if he thinks it necessary to do so, adjourn the House without putting any question, or suspend the sitting for a time to be named by him.

The Speaker may announce that he intends to call Members to speak in a debate, or at certain times during that debate, for no longer than any period he may specify, and he may at any time make subsequent announcements varying the terms of an announcement under this paragraph.

Whenever the Speaker has made an announcement under paragraph (1), he may, subject to paragraph (5), direct any Member (other than a Minister of the Crown, a Member speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, or not more than one Member nominated by the leader of the second largest opposition party) who has spoken for that period to resume his seat forthwith.

The Speaker may announce, at or before the commencement of any debate (other than a topical debate) in respect of which he has made or intends to make an announcement under paragraph (1) of this order, that speeches by a Minister of the Crown, Members speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, and not more than one Member nominated by the leader of the second largest opposition party shall be limited to twenty minutes and he may direct any such Member who has spoken for that period to resume his seat forthwith.

The Speaker may announce, at or before the commencement of a topical debate in respect of which he has made or intends to make an announcement under paragraph (1) of this order, that speeches by a Minister of the Crown and any Member speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition shall be limited to ten minutes and he may direct any such Member who has spoken for that period to resume his seat forthwith.

In relation to any speech, the Speaker shall add to any period specified-

under paragraph (1) of this order-

one minute if one intervention is accepted, plus the time taken by that intervention;

two minutes if two or more interventions are accepted, plus the time taken by the first two such interventions;

under paragraph (3) or (4) of this order, one minute for each intervention accepted up to a maximum of fifteen minutes.

This House will receive no petition for any sum relating to public service or proceed upon any motion for a grant or charge upon the public revenue, whether payable out of the Consolidated Fund or the National Loans Fund or out of money to be provided by Parliament, or for releasing or compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown, unless recommended from the Crown.

Any charge upon the public revenue whether payable out of the Consolidated Fund or the National Loans Fund or out of money to be provided by Parliament including any provision for releasing or compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown shall be authorised by resolution of the House.

A bill (other than a bill which is required to be brought in upon a ways and means resolution) the main object of which is the creation of a public charge may either be presented, or brought in upon an order of the House, by a Minister of the Crown, and, in the case of a bill so presented or brought in, the creation of the charge shall not require to be authorised by a resolution of the House until the bill has been read a second time, and after the charge has been so authorised the bill shall be proceeded with in the same manner as a bill which involves a charge that is subsidiary to its main purpose.

The provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall apply to any bill brought from the Lords, of which a Minister of the Crown has informed the Clerks at the Table of his intention to take charge.

A ways and means motion may be made in the House without notice on any day as soon as an address has been agreed to in answer to Her Majesty's speech.

A Minister of the Crown may without notice make a motion for giving provisional statutory effect to any proposals in pursuance of section 5 of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968; and the question on such a motion shall be put forthwith.

When the question has been decided on the first of several motions upon which a bill is to be brought in for imposing, renewing, varying or repealing any charge upon the people, the question on each such further motion shall be put forthwith or, in the case of a motion to which Standing Order No. 83U applies, forthwith upon the announcement of the Speaker's decision with respect to the motion under that standing order; and proceedings in pursuance of this paragraph, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business.

The Speaker shall put the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on motions authorising expenditure in connection with a bill and on ways and means motions in connection with a bill-

forthwith, if such a motion is made at the same sitting as that at which the bill has been read a second time; or

not later than three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of those proceedings, if the motion is made otherwise.

Business to which this order applies may be proceeded with at any hour, though opposed.

In relation to private bills, provisional order bills and bills introduced under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936, or the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945, the standing orders relating to public money shall have effect subject to any exceptions prescribed by the standing orders of this House relating to private business.

Three days, other than Fridays, shall be allotted in each session for the consideration of estimates set down under the provisions of paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee); and not more than one day so allotted may be taken in the form of two half days, not being Fridays.

On any such day-

consideration of estimates or reports of the Liaison Committee relating thereto shall stand as first business; and

other business may be taken before the moment of interruption only if the consideration of estimates has been concluded.

Provided that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not apply on any day on which time has been allocated pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) of Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates).

On any such half day-

proceedings on consideration of estimates or reports of the Liaison Committee relating thereto, standing as first business, shall be interrupted at seven o'clock on Monday, four o'clock on Tuesday or Wednesday or two o'clock on Thursday; or

notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) of this order, consideration of estimates or reports of the Liaison Committee relating thereto may be set down for consideration at the hour specified in sub-paragraph (a) above and shall be entered upon at that time:

Provided that on days on which time has been allocated pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) of Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) or the Chairman of Way and Means has set down opposed private business under paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), proceedings under this sub-paragraph shall not be entered upon until the business in question has been disposed of and may then be proceeded with for three hours, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House).

On any day or half day allotted under this order, questions necessary to dispose of proceedings (other than a dilatory motion) on the estimates on which debate has been concluded shall be deferred until the day and hour prescribed under paragraph (6) of this order.

Any estimates on which questions have been deferred to another day in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (6) of this order, together with any questions so deferred, and all other estimates appointed for consideration on any previous day or half day allotted under this order shall be set down for consideration on the day to which the questions have been deferred.

On the day to which the provisions of paragraph (2) or (3) of Standing Order No. 55 (Questions on voting of estimates, &c.) apply which falls after or on any day or half-day allotted under this order, the Speaker shall, at the time prescribed in paragraph (1) of that order, put, successively, any questions deferred under paragraph (4) of this order on any previous day or half day allotted under this order, any questions deferred under paragraph (4) of this order on the day and any questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on all other estimates appointed for consideration on any day or half day allotted under this order.

On any day to which the provisions of paragraph (2) or (3) of this order apply, at the moment of interruption or as soon thereafter as proceedings under the proviso to paragraph (3)(b) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates) have been disposed of, the Speaker shall (after putting any questions required to be put under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 54) put the questions on-

any outstanding vote relating to numbers for defence services;

any motion authorising amounts set out in outstanding estimates.

The provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall apply on a day not later than 18 March, if any of the following total amounts have been put down for consideration:

votes on account for the coming financial year;

supplementary and new estimates for the current financial year which have been presented at least fourteen days previously;

votes relating to numbers for defence services;

excess votes, provided that the Committee of Public Accounts has reported that it sees no objection to the amounts necessary being authorised by excess vote.

The provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall apply on a day not later than 5 August in respect of any motion authorising amounts set out in outstanding estimates.

At least two days' notice shall be given of the motions which are to be put down for consideration under paragraphs (2) or (3) of this order.

The provisions of this order shall not apply to any vote of credit or votes for supplementary or additional estimates for war expenditure.

When a motion shall have been made for the second reading of a Consolidated Fund or an Appropriation Bill, the question thereon shall be put forthwith, no order shall be made for the committal of the bill and the question for third reading shall be put forthwith; and the said questions may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

A Member may, after notice, present a bill without previously obtaining leave from the House to bring in the same.

When a bill is presented either in pursuance of an order of the House or under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order, the bill shall be read the first time without any question being put, shall be ordered to be read a second time on such day as the Member presenting it shall appoint, and shall be ordered to be printed.

If a Member informs the Clerks at the Table of his intention to take charge of a bill which has been brought from the Lords, the bill shall be deemed to have been read the first time on the day on which the Member so informs the Clerks, and to have been ordered to be read a second time on such day as he shall appoint, and shall be recorded in the Journal of the House as having been read the first time and ordered to be read a second time on the day so appointed, and shall be ordered to be printed.

If a public bill is passed by the Lords and carried to the office of the Clerk of the House at a time when this House is not sitting, then, provided that a Member shall have notified the Clerks at the Table, in writing, of his intention to take charge of the bill-

the Clerk of the House shall arrange for the printing and circulation of copies of the bill, and

the bill shall be recorded in the Journal of the House as having been read the first time on the next sitting day and as having been ordered to be printed pursuant to this standing order and to be read a second time on such day as the Member shall have appointed.

In this order 'a consolidation bill' means a public bill which falls to be considered by the select committee appointed under Standing Order No. 140 (Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills).

Notices of amendments, new clauses and new schedules to be moved in committee in respect of a consolidation bill may be received by the Clerks at the Table before the bill has been read a second time.

When a motion shall have been made for the second reading, or for the third reading, of a consolidation bill, the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

If a motion that a consolidation bill be not committed is made by a Minister of the Crown immediately after the bill has been read a second time, the motion shall not require notice and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

Any public bill, the main purpose of which is to give effect to proposals contained in a report by either of the Law Commissions, other than a private Member's bill or a bill to which Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills) applies, shall, when it is set down for second reading, stand referred to a second reading committee, unless-

the House otherwise orders, or

the bill is referred to the Scottish Grand Committee.

If a motion that a bill such as is referred to in paragraph (1) above shall no longer stand referred to a second reading committee is made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

The provisions of paragraphs (3) to (5) of Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees) shall apply to any bill referred to a second reading committee under paragraph (1) above.

In this order 'a tax law rewrite bill' means a bill which has been presented, or brought in upon an order of the House, by a Minister of the Crown and which has been ordered to be proceeded with as such a bill.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, that a specified bill be so proceeded with, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

A tax law rewrite bill shall, upon the making of an order under paragraph (2) above, stand referred to a second reading committee unless the House otherwise orders.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, that a tax law rewrite bill shall no longer stand referred to a second reading committee, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

The provisions of paragraphs (3) to (5) of Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees) shall apply to any bill referred to a second reading committee under paragraph (3) above.

A tax law rewrite bill shall, upon its being read a second time, stand committed to the Joint Committee on Tax Law Rewrite Bills.

A bill which has been reported from the said Joint Committee shall stand re-committed to a committee of the whole House unless the House otherwise orders.

If a motion that the committee of the whole House be discharged from considering a tax law rewrite bill is made by a Minister of the Crown immediately after the order of the day has been read for the House to resolve itself into a committee on the bill, the motion shall not require notice and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed; and if such question is agreed to the bill shall be ordered to be read the third time.

Where a public bill (not being a bill to confirm a provisional order or certificate) is ordered to be read a second time on a future day, and it appears that the standing orders relating to private business may be applicable to the bill, the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills shall be ordered to examine the bill and they shall proceed and report with all convenient speed whether the said standing orders are applicable thereto. If they find that the standing orders are applicable, they shall further report whether they have been complied with.

If the Examiners report that any standing order applicable to the bill has not been complied with, and the Standing Orders Committee report that such standing order ought not to be dispensed with, the order of the day relating to the bill shall be discharged.

If on an amendment to the question 'That a bill be now read a second time (or the third time)' it is decided that the word 'now' stand part of the question, the Speaker shall forthwith declare the bill to be read a second or the third time as the case may be.

When the question has been proposed 'That a bill be now read a second time (or the third time)' and the question on any amendment to leave out all the words after 'That' and insert other words has passed in the negative, the main question shall be put forthwith.

When a public bill (other than a Consolidated Fund or an Appropriation Bill, or a tax law rewrite bill, or a bill for confirming a provisional order) has been read a second time, it shall stand committed to a public bill committee unless the House otherwise orders.

A motion-

to commit a bill to a committee of the whole House or to a select committee, or a motion that it is expedient that a bill be committed to a joint committee of Lords and Commons; or

to give a public bill committee to which a bill has been committed under this order power to send for persons, papers and records,

may be made by any Member and if made immediately after the bill has been read a second time shall not require notice, and, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

A motion to commit a bill to a public bill committee in respect of some of its provisions and to a committee of the whole House in respect of other provisions may be made by the Member in charge of the bill and, if made immediately after the bill has been read a second time, shall not require notice, and may, though opposed, be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business. If such a motion is opposed, the Speaker after permitting, if he thinks fit, a brief explanatory statement from the Member who makes and from a Member who opposes the motion shall, without permitting any further debate, put the question thereon.

If the question on a motion made under paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) of this order is negatived, the Speaker shall forthwith declare that the bill stands committed to a public bill committee.

In the case of a bill certified by the Speaker under Standing Order No. 83J as relating exclusively to England and being within devolved legislative competence-

committal under this order is subject to Standing Order No. 83K (Committal and recommittal of certified England only bills), and

committal under this order to a public bill committee is accordingly to a public bill committee to which Standing Order No. 86(2)(iv) (Nomination of general committees) applies.

Nothing in this order enables a bill to be committed to any legislative grand committee other than to the Legislative Grand Committee (England) in accordance with Standing Order No. 83K.

Whenever the House is adjourned for more than one day, notices of amendments to bills, new clauses or new schedules, of Consent Motions under Standing Order No. 83M (Consent Motions for certified England only or England and Wales only provisions) or of amendments to Lords amendments received in the Public Bill Office at any time not later than half-past four o'clock on the last day on which the House is not sitting (excluding any Saturday, Sunday, bank holiday or public holiday in England) may be accepted as if the House were sitting.

All committees to which bills may be committed or referred for consideration on report shall have power to make such amendments therein as they shall think fit, provided they be relevant to the subject matter of the bill: but if any such amendments shall not be within the long title of the bill, they shall amend the long title accordingly, and report the same specially to the House.

Whenever an order of the day is read for the House to resolve itself into a committee on a bill, the Speaker shall leave the chair without putting any question, and the House shall thereupon resolve itself into such committee, unless notice of an instruction to such committee has been given, when such instruction shall be first disposed of, or unless the committee is discharged in pursuance of paragraph (8) of Standing Order No. 60 (Tax law rewrite bills).

In a committee on a bill any preamble shall stand postponed until after the consideration of the clauses and of any schedules.

If, during the consideration of a bill in a committee of the whole House, the chair is of opinion that the principle of a clause or schedule and any matters arising thereon have been adequately discussed in the course of debate on the amendments proposed thereto, he may, after the last amendment to be selected has been disposed of, state that he is of this opinion and shall then forthwith put the question 'That the clause (or, the clause, as amended) stand part of the bill' or 'That this schedule (or this schedule, as amended) be the schedule to the bill', as the case may be.

When a Member has brought up a clause or schedule in committee on a bill or on consideration of a bill on report, it shall be read the first time without any question being put.

When the chair of a committee of the whole House has been ordered to make a report to the House, he shall leave the chair without putting any question. Every such report shall be brought up without any question being put.

At the close of the proceedings of a committee of the whole House on a bill, the chair shall report the bill forthwith to the House, and when amendments shall have been made thereto, a day shall be appointed for taking the bill, as amended, into consideration, unless the House shall order it to be taken into consideration forthwith.

When the order of the day for the consideration of a bill, as amended in a committee of the whole House, has been read, the House shall proceed to consider the same without question put, unless the Member in charge thereof nominates a future day for its consideration or a motion shall be made to re-commit the bill in whole or in part.

Save as provided in Standing Order No. 92 (Consideration on report of certain bills by a general committee) every bill committed to and reported from a public bill committee or the Legislative Grand Committee (England), whether amended or not, shall be considered on report by the House, and the provisions of Standing Order No. 72 (Consideration of bill as amended in committee of whole House) shall apply to such consideration.

If a motion to re-commit a bill as a whole be made, the Speaker shall permit a brief explanatory statement of the reasons for such re-committal from the Member who makes, and a brief statement from a Member who opposes, any such motion, and shall then put the question thereon.

Upon the consideration of a bill on report no amendment which could not have been proposed in committee without an instruction from the House may be proposed unless it has been authorised by a resolution of the House.

When a bill has been committed to a public bill committee, or has been so committed in respect of some of its provisions, then, on consideration on report of the bill or such of its provisions as were so committed, the rule against speaking more than once shall not apply to the Member in charge of the bill or to the mover of any amendment or new clause or schedule in respect of that amendment or clause or schedule.

No amendments, not being merely verbal, shall be made to any bill on the third reading.

The third reading of a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution may be taken at the same sitting of the House as its consideration on report.

Lords amendments to public bills and Lords reasons shall be appointed to be considered on a future day, unless the House shall order them to be considered forthwith, and the provisions of Standing Order No. 57A (Bills brought from the Lords) shall apply to the appointment of consideration and the printing of Lords amendments and reasons as they apply to the appointment of second reading and the printing of bills brought from the House of Lords.

When the order of the day for the consideration of Lords amendments to a public bill or Lords reasons has been read, the House shall proceed to consider the same without question put, unless the Member in charge thereof nominates a future day for their consideration.

If the Speaker is satisfied that a Lords amendment imposes a charge upon the public revenue such as is required to be authorised by resolution of the House under Standing Order No. 49 (Certain proceedings relating to public money) and that such charge has not been so authorised, on reaching that amendment, the Speaker shall declare that he is so satisfied and the amendment shall be deemed to have been disagreed to and shall be so recorded in the Journal.

With respect to any bill brought to this House from the House of Lords, or returned by the House of Lords to this House, with amendments, whereby any pecuniary penalty, forfeiture, or fee shall be authorised, imposed, appropriated, regulated, varied, or extinguished, this House will not insist on its ancient and undoubted privileges in the following cases:

when the object of such pecuniary penalty or forfeiture is to secure the execution of the Act, or the punishment or prevention of offences;

where such fees are imposed in respect of benefit taken or service rendered under the Act, and in order to the execution of the Act, and are not made payable into the Consolidated Fund, or in aid of the public revenue, and do not form the ground of public accounting by the parties receiving the same, either in respect of deficit or surplus;

when such bill shall be a private bill for a local or personal Act.

The House may proceed with any public bill brought from the Lords except a bill of aids and supplies, provided that-

it is so framed that no charge upon the people or upon public funds, unless it be such a charge as is defined in Standing Order No. 79 (Pecuniary penalties), is imposed or altered; and

in the case of a bill which, if it were not so framed, would have as its main object the imposition or alteration of such a charge, a Minister of the Crown has informed the Clerk at the Table of his intention to take charge of it.

Subject to the following provisions of this order, a Minister of the Crown may give notice of a motion (a 'carry-over motion') that proceedings on a public bill not completed before the end of the Session shall be resumed in the next Session of Parliament; and the Speaker shall put any question necessary to dispose of proceedings on such a motion (other than a motion relating to a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution)-

forthwith if the motion is made on the day the bill is read a second time; or

not more than one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the motion if the motion is made at any other time.

A carry-over motion may be proceeded with, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.

A carry-over motion shall not be made in respect of more than one bill.

A carry-over motion shall not be made in respect of a bill carried over from a previous Session of Parliament.

A carry-over motion may be made only in respect of a bill presented by a Minister of the Crown.

The provisions of this order shall not apply to a carry-over motion made in respect of a bill brought from the Lords.

Paragraphs (8) to (11) of this order shall apply to any bill (other than a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution) ordered to be carried over to the next Session of Parliament in pursuance of a carry-over motion.

If proceedings in committee on the bill are begun but not completed before the end of the first Session, the chair shall report the bill to the House as so far amended and the bill and any evidence received by the committee shall be ordered to lie upon the Table.

In any other case, proceedings on the bill shall be suspended at the conclusion of the Session in which the bill was first introduced.

If a bill is presented in the next Session in the same terms as the bill reported to the House under paragraph (8) or as it stood when proceedings were suspended under paragraph (9), the bill shall be read the first and second time without question put, shall be ordered to be printed, and-

in the case of a bill reported from a public bill committee under paragraph (8), shall stand committed to a public bill committee in respect of those clauses and schedules not ordered to stand part of the bill in the first Session;

in the case of a bill reported from a committee of the whole House under paragraph (8), shall stand committed to a committee of the whole House in respect of those clauses and schedules not ordered to stand part of the bill in the first Session;

in the case of a bill committed to a public bill committee but on which proceedings on the bill were not begun, shall again stand committed to a public bill committee;

otherwise shall be set down as an order of the day for (as the case may be) committee, consideration, further consideration or third reading.

Notices of amendments, new clauses and new schedules given in respect of parts of a bill not disposed of in the first Session shall be reprinted as notices in respect of the bill as presented and proceeded with under paragraph (10).

A programme order relating to a bill which is carried over to the next session of Parliament shall continue to apply in the next Session.

Proceedings on a bill ordered to be carried over to the next Session of Parliament shall lapse on the expiry of the period of twelve months from the date of its first reading in this House and the bill shall be laid aside unless the House shall order, in pursuance of a motion under paragraph (14), that proceedings on the bill be extended for a specified period.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown to extend for a specified period proceedings on a bill which would otherwise lapse under paragraph (13), and any such motion-

may contain provisions amending or supplementing a programme order in respect of the bill;

may be proceeded with, though opposed, after the moment of interruption;

and the Speaker shall put any question necessary to dispose of proceedings on any such motion not later than one and a half hours after the commencement of those proceedings.

The Speaker shall put any question necessary to dispose of proceedings on a carry-over motion of which a Minister of the Crown has given notice under Standing Order No. 80A (Carry-over of bills) relating to a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution-

forthwith if the motion is made on any day before the bill is read a second time, or on the day the bill is read a second time; or

not more than one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the motion if the motion is made at any other time.

The following paragraphs of this order shall apply to any bill ordered to be carried over to the next Session of Parliament in pursuance of a carry-over motion to which paragraph (1) applies.

If proceedings in committee on the bill are begun but not completed before the end of the first Session, the chair shall report the bill to the House as so far amended and the bill and any evidence received by the committee shall be ordered to lie upon the Table.

In any other case, proceedings on the bill shall be suspended at the conclusion of the Session in which the bill was first introduced.

In the next Session of Parliament, a Minister of the Crown may, after notice, present a bill in the same terms as the bill reported to the House under paragraph (3) of this order or as it stood when proceedings were suspended under paragraph (4) of this order; the bill shall be read the first time without question put and shall be ordered to be printed; and paragraphs (6) to (13) shall apply to the bill.

In respect of all proceedings on the bill, any resolution which the bill was brought in upon in the first Session shall be treated as if it were such a resolution of the House in the next Session and any reference in any resolution upon which the bill was brought in to a Bill or Act of the present Session shall be treated in the next Session as a reference to a Bill or Act of that Session.

In respect of all proceedings on the bill, the bill shall be treated as a bill brought in upon ways and means resolutions.

If the bill was read a second time in the first Session, it shall be read a second time without question put.

If the bill was not set down for consideration at any time in the first Session, any committal order in respect of the bill shall apply to proceedings on the bill in the next Session (subject to paragraphs (10) and (11)).

If the bill was reported from a public bill committee under paragraph (3), it shall stand committed to a public bill committee in respect of those clauses and schedules which were committed to a public bill committee in the first Session and not ordered to stand part of the bill in that Session.

If the bill was reported from a committee of the whole House under paragraph (3), it shall stand committed to a committee of the whole House in respect of those clauses and schedules which were committed to a committee of the whole House in the first Session and not ordered to stand part of the bill in that Session.

If the bill was read a second time in the first Session and was not set down for consideration at any time in that Session, any order of the House giving leave for a committee on the bill to sit twice on the first day on which it meets in the first Session shall apply to the first day on which the committee meets in the next Session.

If the bill was set down for consideration at any time in the first Session, the bill shall be set down as an order of the day for (as the case may be) consideration, further consideration or third reading.

Notices of amendments, new clauses and new schedules given in respect of parts of the bill not disposed of in the first Session shall be reprinted as notices in respect of the bill as presented and proceeded with under paragraph (5).

The precise duration of every temporary law or enactment shall be expressed in a distinct clause or subsection of the bill.

There shall be a committee, to be called the Business Committee, consisting of the Chairman of Ways and Means, who shall be chair of the committee, and not more than eight other Members to be nominated by the Speaker, in respect of each bill to which this order applies. The quorum of the committee shall be four. The committee-

shall, in the case of any bill in respect of which an order has been made by the House, allotting a specified number of days or portions of days to the consideration of the bill in committee of the whole House or on report, divide the bill into such parts as it may see fit and allot to each part so many days or portions of a day so allotted as it may consider appropriate; and

shall report its resolution (or resolutions) to the House, and on a motion being made for the consideration of such report the question thereon shall be put forthwith and on consideration of the said report the question 'That this House doth agree with the committee in its resolution (or resolutions)' shall be put forthwith and, if that question be agreed to, any such resolution shall have effect as if it were an order of the House.

Proceedings in pursuance of this sub-paragraph, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business.

If a motion be made by a Minister of the Crown providing for an allocation of time to any proceedings on a bill the Speaker shall, not more than three hours after the commencement of the proceedings on such a motion, put any question necessary to dispose of those proceedings.

If, before second reading of a bill, notice of a motion providing-

for committal of the bill, and

for any proceedings on the bill to be programmed,

is given by a Minister of the Crown, the motion may be made immediately after second reading, and Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills not subject to a programme order) shall not apply to the bill.

Such a motion is to be called a programme motion.

A programme motion may not disapply paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 84A (Public bill committees).

An order made by the House as a result of a programme motion is to be called a programme order.

A motion to vary or supplement a programme order is also to be called a programme motion.

A programme motion may provide for the allocation of time for any proceedings on a bill.

Except in the following four cases, the question on a programme motion is to be put forthwith.

The first exception is where-

a public bill committee has reported a resolution under paragraph (12) of Standing Order No. 83C (Programming sub-committees) proposing an alteration of the date by which the bill is to be reported to the House, and

the motion made under paragraph (13) of Standing Order No. 83C does not give effect to the public bill committee's proposal.

The second exception is where the motion makes further provision for proceedings on consideration and up to and including third reading of the bill otherwise than in accordance with a resolution of a public bill committee under paragraph (14) of Standing Order No. 83C.

The third exception is where the motion reduces the amount of time allocated under a programme order for any proceedings on the bill (whether or not it also increases the amount of time allocated for other proceedings on the bill).

The fourth exception is where the motion relates to a resolution of a programming committee.

If any of the exceptions applies, any question necessary to dispose of proceedings on a programme motion is to be put not later than three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings on the motion.

Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) applies to proceedings on a programme motion.

Standing Order No. 83 (Allocation of time to bills) does not apply to a programme motion.

If a programme order applies to a bill, neither Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) nor Standing Order No. 120 (Business sub-committees) applies to the bill.

This order applies if proceedings in committee of the whole House or on consideration and third reading or in legislative grand committee or on reconsideration or consequential consideration are subject to a programme order.

There is to be a committee for the bill consisting of-

the Chairman of Ways and Means (who is to be chair of the committee); and

not more than eight other Members, nominated by the Speaker.

The committee is to be called the programming committee.

The quorum of the programming committee is four.

The programming committee shall consider the allocation of time to proceedings in committee of the whole House or on consideration and third reading or in legislative grand committee or on reconsideration or consequential consideration and report any resolution which it makes to the House.

Proceedings in the programming committee shall be brought to a conclusion not later than two hours after their commencement.

For the purposes of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (6), the chair shall-

first put forthwith any question which has been proposed from the chair and not yet decided; and

then put successively questions on any motions made by a Minister of the Crown.

Resolutions of the programming committee-

may be reported from time to time; and

subject to the powers of the Speaker or chair to select the amendments, new clauses and new schedules to be proposed, may include alterations in the order in which specified proceedings on the bill are to be taken.

If a bill is subject to a programme order which commits it to a public bill committee, the order stands referred to the committee and, subject to paragraph (10) of this order, shall be considered by a sub-committee of the committee.

The sub-committee is to be called the programming sub-committee.

The programming sub-committee shall consist of-

the chair or one of the chairs of the committee (who is to be chair of the sub-committee); and

seven members of the committee, nominated by the Speaker.

The quorum of the programming sub-committee is four.

The programming sub-committee shall report to the committee any resolution which it makes about-

the number of sittings to be allotted to the consideration of the bill in the committee;

the allocation of the proceedings to each sitting;

the time at which any proceedings, if not previously concluded, are to be brought to a conclusion;

the date by which the bill is to be reported to the House;

the programming of consideration and up to and including third reading.

Proceedings in the programming sub-committee shall be brought to a conclusion not later than two hours after their commencement.

For the purposes of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (6), the chair shall-

first put forthwith any question which has been proposed from the chair and not yet decided; and

then put forthwith successively questions on any motions made by a Minister of the Crown.

Resolutions of the programming sub-committee-

may be reported from time to time; and

subject to the powers of the chair to select the amendments, new clauses and new schedules to be proposed, may include alterations in the order in which specified proceedings are to be taken.

On a motion in the terms of a resolution of the programming sub-committee being made in the committee, any question necessary to dispose of proceedings on the motion is to be put not later than half an hour after the commencement of those proceedings.

A Minister of the Crown may make any motion in a public bill committee which could have been the subject of a resolution of the programming sub-committee; and for the purposes of this order the motion shall be treated as if it were in the terms of a resolution of the programming sub-committee: provided that proceedings on such a motion shall lapse if any member of the committee signifies objection to it.

If the provisions of a resolution of the programming sub-committee under sub-paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (5) are agreed to (with or without modification) by the committee, the provisions (or the provisions as modified) are to have effect as if they were included in the programme order for the bill: Provided that the chair may allow a sitting at which oral evidence is heard to continue for up to a quarter of an hour beyond the time provided for in the resolution.

Any resolution of the committee-

proposing an alteration to the date by which the bill is to be reported to the House; or

making a recommendation about the programming of the bill on consideration and up to and including third reading;

shall be reported to the House.

If a resolution is reported proposing an alteration to the date by which the bill is to be reported to the House, a supplemental programme motion shall be set down for a day not later than the fifth sitting day after the day when the report was made which may-

give effect to the committee's proposal;

otherwise alter or supplement the provisions of the original programme of the bill; or

confirm the date set in the original programme order for the bill.

If a resolution is reported making a recommendation about the programming of the bill on consideration and up to and including third reading, a supplemental programme motion shall be set down before the consideration of the bill on report which may-

give effect to the committee's recommendations;

otherwise alter or supplement the provisions of the original programme of the bill; or

confirm the original programme order for the bill.

This order applies for the purpose of bringing proceedings in public bill committee, in the Legislative Grand Committee (England) when exercising functions under Standing Order No. 83W(6)(a) (Legislative Grand Committees) or in committee of the whole House to a conclusion in accordance with a programme order.

The chair shall put forthwith the following questions (but no others) in the same order as they would fall to be put if this order did not apply-

any question already proposed from the chair;

any question necessary to bring to a decision a question so proposed;

the question on any amendment, new clause or new schedule selected by the chair for separate decision;

the question on any amendment moved or motion made by a Minister of the Crown;

any other question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded.

On a motion made for a new clause or a new schedule, the chair shall put only the question that the clause or schedule be added to the bill.

If two or more questions would fall to be put under paragraph (2)(d) on successive amendments moved or motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the chair shall instead put a single question in relation to those amendments or motions.

If two or more questions would fall to be put under paragraph (2)(e) in relation to successive provisions of the bill, the chair shall instead put a single question in relation to those provisions, except that the question shall be put separately on any clause of or schedule to the bill which a Minister of the Crown has signified an intention to leave out.

On conclusion of the proceedings in a committee, the chair shall report the bill (or such of the bill's provisions as were committed to it) to the House without putting any question.

This order applies for the purpose of bringing proceedings on consideration and up to and including third reading to a conclusion in accordance with a programme order.

The Speaker shall put forthwith the following questions (but no others) in the same order as they would fall to be put if this order did not apply-

any question already proposed from the chair;

any question necessary to bring to a decision a question so proposed;

the question on any amendment, new clause or new schedule selected by the Speaker for separate decision;

the question on any amendment moved or motion made by a Minister of the Crown;

any other question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded.

On a motion made for a new clause or a new schedule, the Speaker shall put only the question that the clause or schedule be added to the bill.

If two or more questions would fall to be put under paragraph (2)(d) on successive amendments moved or motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Speaker shall instead put a single question in relation to those amendments or motions.

In the application of this order to proceedings on a Consent Motion in legislative grand committee, the references to the Speaker in paragraph (2) are to be read as references to the Chairman of Ways and Means or either Deputy Chairman.

This order applies for the purpose of bringing proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments to a conclusion in accordance with a programme order.

The Speaker shall first put forthwith any question which has been proposed from the chair and not yet decided.

If that question is for the amendment of a Lords amendment, the Speaker shall then put forthwith-

a single question on any further amendments of the Lords amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown; and

the question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown that this House agrees or disagrees with the Lords in their amendment or (as the case may be) in their amendment as amended.

The Speaker shall then put forthwith-

a single question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords amendment; and

the question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown that this House agrees or disagrees with the Lords in their amendment or (as the case may be) in their amendment as amended.

The Speaker shall then put forthwith the question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown that this House disagrees with the Lords in a Lords amendment.

The Speaker shall then put forthwith the question that this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords amendments.

As soon as the House has-

agreed or disagreed with the Lords in any of their amendments; or

disposed of an amendment relevant to a Lords amendment which has been disagreed to,

the Speaker shall put forthwith a single question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown relevant to the Lords amendment.

Where a single question would be put under paragraph (3)(a), (4)(a) or (7) in circumstances where some or all of the amendments concerned are certified under Standing Order No. 83O (Consideration of certified motions or amendments relating to Lords Amendments or other messages) in relation to a particular part or parts of the United Kingdom, the Speaker shall put forthwith-

a single question on any amendments for which the certification is in relation to England,

a single question on any amendments for which the certification is in relation to England and Wales,

a single question on any amendments for which the certification is both in relation to England and in relation to England and Wales, and

a single question on any amendments for which there is no certification.

Where a single question would be put under paragraph (6) in circumstances where, if there were (or are) separate motions to agree in relation to each of the remaining Lords amendments, some or all of the motions would be (or are) certified under Standing Order No. 83O (Consideration of certified motions or amendments relating to Lords Amendments or other messages), the Speaker shall put forthwith-

in the case of any remaining Lords amendments for which there would be (or are) motions certified in relation to England, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those amendments,

in the case of any remaining Lords amendments for which there would be (or are) motions certified in relation to England and Wales, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those amendments,

in the case of any remaining Lords amendments for which there would be (or are) motions certified both in relation to England and in relation to England and Wales, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those amendments, and

in the case of any remaining Lords amendments for which there would be (or are) motions which would not be (or are not) certified, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those amendments.

If a division is held on a question put under paragraph (8) or (9), the amendments shall be agreed to only if, of those voting in the division-

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph, a majority of Members and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England,

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph, a majority of Members and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and Wales,

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph, a majority of Members, a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and Wales, and

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (d) of that paragraph, a majority of Members,

vote in support of them.

Paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 83O shall apply to a decision made by virtue of paragraph (10) above on a question as it applies in relation to a decision made by virtue of paragraph (7) of that order on a motion.

This order applies for the purpose of bringing proceedings on any further message from the Lords to a conclusion in accordance with a programme order.

The Speaker shall first put forthwith any question which has been proposed from the chair and not yet decided.

The Speaker shall then put forthwith the question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the question already proposed from the chair.

The Speaker shall then put forthwith the question on any motion made by a Minister on or relevant to any of the remaining items in the Lords message.

The Speaker shall, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), then put forthwith the question that this House agrees with the Lords in all of the remaining Lords proposals.

Paragraph (7) applies where, if there were (or are) separate motions to agree in relation to each of the remaining Lords proposals, some or all of the motions would be (or are) certified under Standing Order No. 83O (Consideration of certified motions or amendments relating to Lords Amendments or other messages).

The Speaker shall put forthwith-

in the case of any remaining Lords proposals for which there would be (or are) motions certified in relation to England, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those proposals,

in the case of any remaining Lords proposals for which there would be (or are) motions certified in relation to England and Wales, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those proposals,

in the case of any remaining Lords proposals for which there would be (or are) motions certified both in relation to England and in relation to England and Wales, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those proposals, and

in the case of any remaining Lords proposals for which there would be (or are) motions which would not be (or are not) certified, the question that this House agrees with the Lords in those proposals.

If a division is held on a question put under paragraph (7), the proposals shall be agreed to only if, of those voting in the division-

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph, a majority of Members and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England,

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph, a majority of Members and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and Wales,

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph, a majority of Members, a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and Wales, and

in a case falling within sub-paragraph (d) of that paragraph, a majority of Members,

vote in support of them.

Paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 83O shall apply to a decision made by virtue of paragraph (8) above on a question as it applies in relation to a decision made by virtue of paragraph (7) of that order on a motion.

This order applies in relation to any committee to be appointed to draw up reasons after proceedings have been brought to a conclusion in accordance with a programme order.

The Speaker shall put forthwith the question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a committee to draw up reasons and the appointment of its chair.

The committee shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed.

Proceedings in the committee shall be brought to a conclusion not later than half an hour after their commencement.

For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (4), the chair shall-

first put forthwith any question which has been proposed from the chair and not yet decided; and

then put forthwith successively questions on motions which may be made by a Minister of the Crown for assigning a reason for disagreeing with the Lords in any of their amendments.

The proceedings of the committee shall be reported without any further question being put.

The provisions of this order apply to proceedings in the House or in committee of the whole House or in legislative grand committee on a bill which is subject to a programme order.

Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) applies to the proceedings for any period after the moment of interruption allocated to them in accordance with the programme order.

The proceedings may not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.

If, on a day on which the bill has been set down to be taken as an order of the day, a motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Emergency debates) would, apart from this order, stand over to seven o'clock, four o'clock or three o'clock-

that motion stands over until the conclusion of any proceedings on the bill which, in accordance with the programme order, are to be brought to conclusion at or before that time; and

the bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the bill which, in accordance with the programme order, are to be brought to a conclusion after that time is postponed for a period of time equal to the duration of the proceedings on that motion.

If a day on which the bill has been set down to be taken as an order of the day is one to which a motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 stands over from an earlier day, the bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the bill which, in accordance with the programme order, are to be brought to a conclusion on that day is postponed for a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on that motion.

No dilatory motion may be made in relation to the proceedings except by a Minister of the Crown; and the question on any such motion is to be put forthwith.

If at any sitting the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the expiry of the period at the end of which proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion under a programme order, no notice is required of a motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of the programme order.

The Speaker shall, before second reading-

consider every public bill presented by a Minister of the Crown or brought from the Lords and taken up by a Minister of the Crown, and

certify any such bill, or any clause or schedule of any such bill, which, in the Speaker's opinion-

relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales, and

is within devolved legislative competence.

A clause or schedule relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales if (disregarding any minor or consequential effects outside the area in question) it applies only to England or (as the case may be) to England and Wales.

A clause or schedule which relates exclusively to England is within devolved legislative competence if-

it would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to make any corresponding provision for Scotland in an Act of that Parliament,

it would be within the legislative competence of the National Assembly for Wales to make any corresponding provision for Wales in an Act of that Assembly, or

it would be within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly to make any corresponding provision for Northern Ireland in an Act of that Assembly and the corresponding provision would deal with a transferred matter.

A clause or schedule which relates exclusively to England and Wales is within devolved legislative competence if-

it would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to make any corresponding provision for Scotland in an Act of that Parliament, or

it would be within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly to make any corresponding provision for Northern Ireland in an Act of that Assembly and the corresponding provision would deal with a transferred matter.

A bill-

relates exclusively to England and is within devolved legislative competence if every clause and every schedule of it relates exclusively to England and is within devolved legislative competence;

relates exclusively to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence if every clause and every schedule of it relates exclusively to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence.

In deciding whether a bill relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales, the Speaker shall treat any clause or schedule whose only effects are minor or consequential effects outside the area in question as relating exclusively to that area.

In deciding whether a clause or schedule is within devolved legislative competence, the Speaker may take account of any amendments to the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales or the Northern Ireland Assembly which-

are not in force at the time of certification, but

are to come into force on a day already fixed by law,

if the Speaker considers that the clause or schedule is itself only likely to come into force on or after that day; and, for this purpose, an amendment which is in force but applies only in relation to a future period of time (or a clause or schedule which is likely to come into force but so apply) is to be treated as not being in force (or as not likely to come into force) until the start of that period (being a day already fixed by law).

In deciding whether to certify a bill, clause or schedule under this order, the Speaker-

may consult two members of the Panel of Chairs who are appointed for this purpose by the Committee of Selection on a session by session basis, and

shall disregard any provision inserted by the House of Lords which, in the Speaker's opinion, has the sole objective of ensuring that Standing Order No. 80(a) (Privilege (bills brought from the Lords)) will apply to the bill.

The Speaker shall announce any decision under this order to the House.

This order shall not apply to the following bills-

a bill which is certified under Standing Order No. 97(1) (Scottish Grand Committee (bills in relation to their principle)),

a bill referred to the Welsh Grand Committee under Standing Order No. 106(1) (Welsh Grand Committee (bills)),

a bill referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee under Standing Order No. 113(1) (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (bills in relation to their principle)),

a bill which falls to be considered by the select committee appointed under Standing Order No. 140 (Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills),

a bill whose main purpose is to give effect to proposals contained in a report by a Law Commission,

a tax law rewrite bill,

a bill introduced under the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 or for confirming a provisional order.

This order-

shall not affect the right of every Member to vote on-

the consideration of estimates, and

ways and means motions and motions for money resolutions (other than motions to which Standing Order No. 83U applies), and

shall not apply to a Consolidated Fund or Appropriation Bill.

A bill certified by the Speaker under Standing Order No. 83J as relating exclusively to England and being within devolved legislative competence may only be committed to-

a public bill committee (to which Standing Order No. 86(2)(iv) (Nomination of general committees) applies), or

the Legislative Grand Committee (England).

A bill whose current certification by the Speaker (whether under Standing Order No. 83J or 83L) is that it relates exclusively to England and is within devolved legislative competence may only be recommitted to-

a public bill committee (to which Standing Order No. 86(2)(iv) (Nomination of general committees) applies), or

the Legislative Grand Committee (England).

Paragraph (2) applies in relation to every bill which-

was eligible for certification under Standing Order No. 83J (whether or not the bill, or any clause or schedule of it, was so certified),

has been amended since its second reading, and

has completed the stages before its third reading.

The Speaker shall, before a motion may be made for the third reading of the bill-

reconsider the bill, and

certify the bill, or any clause or schedule of it, if the bill or clause or schedule, in the Speaker's opinion-

relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales, and

is within devolved legislative competence.

Paragraph (4) applies in relation to every bill which-

was certified (whether in whole or in part) by the Speaker under Standing Order No. 83J,

has been amended since its second reading, and

has completed the stages before its third reading.

The Speaker shall, before a motion may be made for the third reading of the bill, certify any amendment made to the bill since second reading which, in the opinion of the Speaker-

related to the bill so far as certified under Standing Order No. 83J,

was not made by the Legislative Grand Committee (England) or a public bill committee to which Standing Order No. 86(2)(iv) (Nomination of general committees) applies, and

either-

resulted in there being no certification under paragraph (2) when there would otherwise have been such a certification, or

changed the area to which a certification under paragraph (2) would otherwise have related.

Any amendment certified under paragraph (4) shall be certified as relating exclusively to the area to which the certification under paragraph (2) would have related had that amendment not been made (and there shall be no certification as to devolved legislative competence).

The Speaker shall announce any decision under paragraph (2) or (4) to the House.

The Speaker shall, wherever possible, announce the Speaker's decisions under paragraph (2) or (4) immediately after the conclusion of proceedings on the previous stage of the bill.

Paragraphs (2) to (8) of Standing Order No. 83J apply for the purposes of certification of bills, clauses, schedules and amendments under this order as they apply for the purposes of certification of bills, clauses and schedules under that order.

Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply where-

a bill, or clauses or schedules of a bill, have been certified under Standing Order No. 83J as relating exclusively to England or to England and Wales and being within devolved legislative competence, and the bill has completed the stages before its third reading without having been amended,

a bill or clauses or schedules of a bill have been certified under Standing Order No. 83L(2) as relating exclusively to England or to England and Wales and being within devolved legislative competence, or

amendments have been certified under Standing Order No. 83L(4) as relating exclusively to England or to England and Wales.

A Consent Motion which gives consent to the bill, clauses or schedules or amendments must be passed by the legislative grand committee for the area to which the certification relates before a motion may be made for the third reading of the bill.

If a Minister of the Crown indicates his or her intention to move a Consent Motion, the House shall forthwith resolve itself into the legislative grand committee which is to consider the motion.

If a Minister of the Crown indicates his or her intention to move both a Consent Motion which is to be passed by the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) and a Consent Motion which is to be passed by the Legislative Grand Committee (England)-

the House shall forthwith resolve itself into the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) to consider the motion for that committee,

on moving that motion, the Minister shall also inform the committee of the terms of the motion to be moved in the Legislative Grand Committee (England),

any debate in the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) may also relate to the motion for the Legislative Grand Committee (England), and

on conclusion of proceedings in the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales)-

the House shall forthwith resolve itself into the Legislative Grand Committee (England),

a Minister of the Crown shall forthwith move the motion for that committee, and

proceedings in the Legislative Grand Committee (England) shall be brought to a conclusion forthwith.

Standing Orders Nos. 83E (Programme orders: conclusion of proceedings on consideration and up to and including third reading) and 83I (Programme orders: supplementary provisions) shall apply for the purpose of bringing proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph (4)(d)(iii) above (whether or not those proceedings are subject to a programme order) as they apply for the purpose of bringing proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with a programme order.

On the conclusion of proceedings on a Consent Motion (or, in a case falling within paragraph (4), the conclusion of proceedings on the second Consent Motion), the chair shall report the decision of the committee (or, as the case may be, the decisions of the committees) to the House.

Subject to paragraph (8), a Consent Motion shall be in the form either "That the Committee consents to the XXX Bill" or "That the Committee consents to [the following certified clauses [and schedules] of the XXX Bill] [and certified amendments made by the House to the XXX Bill]..."; and in the latter case the motion shall identify the clauses or schedules or amendments in question.

If a Minister of the Crown wishes to propose that a committee should not consent to certain clauses or schedules or amendments, the Consent Motion shall be in the form "That the Committee consents to [the following certified clauses [and schedules] of the XXX Bill] [and certified amendments made by the House to the XXX Bill]... and does not consent to [the following certified clauses [and schedules] of the XXX Bill] [and certified amendments made by the House to the XXX Bill]..."; and in any such case the motion shall identify the clauses or schedules or amendments in question.

A Consent Motion may only be moved by a Minister of the Crown and may be moved without notice.

Proceedings under this order may be proceeded with, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.

Where a legislative grand committee decides on a Consent Motion under Standing Order No. 83M to withhold consent to a bill or any clause or schedule of a bill or any amendment-

the bill shall be set down for reconsideration unless a Minister of the Crown moves a motion for the bill to be reconsidered (and any such motion may be made without notice, the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith and, if the motion is passed, the House shall proceed forthwith to reconsideration), and

any order for the third reading of the bill shall be discharged.

Reconsideration of the bill shall be for the sole purpose of considering amendments to the bill to resolve matters in dispute as a result of the withholding of consent.

Paragraphs (2) and (4) to (8) of Standing Order No. 83L, and Standing Order No. 83M, shall apply following reconsideration of a bill in relation to the bill so far as reconsidered as they apply in relation to a bill; but as if-

in Standing Order No. 83L(4)-

the reference to any amendment since second reading were a reference to any amendment made on reconsideration, and

sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) were omitted, and

in the case of any matter, there were a deemed certification in relation to the area or areas to which any relevant previous certification under Standing Order No. 83L(2) or (4) related if there would not otherwise be a certification in relation to that area or areas.

If, following reconsideration of a bill and the steps taken by virtue of paragraph (3), a legislative grand committee withholds consent to the whole bill (whether or not amended on reconsideration), the bill may not be given a third reading and shall not pass.

Paragraph (6) applies if, following reconsideration of a bill and the steps taken by virtue of paragraph (3), a legislative grand committee withholds consent to-

any clause or schedule of the bill (whether or not amended on reconsideration), or

any amendment to the bill,

but does not withhold consent to the whole bill.

The bill shall be amended so as to remove any provisions of the bill which are not agreed by the House and any relevant legislative grand committee; and it is the bill as so amended which proceeds to its next stage.

A Minister of the Crown may move a motion for the bill as so amended to be considered again ("consequential consideration"); and such a motion made be made without notice and the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith.

If the motion is passed, the House shall proceed forthwith to consequential consideration of the bill as so amended; and any order for the third reading of the bill shall be discharged.

Consequential consideration of the bill as so amended shall be for the sole purpose of considering minor or technical amendments in consequence of the removal of provisions under paragraph (6).

Proceedings on reconsideration or consequential consideration, or a motion for reconsideration or consequential consideration, may be proceeded with, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.

References in the standing orders of this House to consideration of a bill on report shall, so far as relevant and subject to paragraph (12), include reconsideration or consequential consideration of a bill under this order.

In its application by virtue of paragraph (11), Standing Order No. 72 (Consideration of bill as amended in committee of whole House) has effect as if the words ", as amended in a committee of the whole House," were omitted.

The Speaker shall consider any motion relating to a Lords amendment to a bill or to any other message from the Lords in respect of a bill.

The Speaker shall certify the motion if, in the Speaker's opinion, it-

relates exclusively to England and is within devolved legislative competence, or

relates exclusively to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence.

For the purposes of paragraph (2) a motion relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence if it or any provision of it-

relates to a Lords amendment, or an item in another message, which would, if agreed, result in-

a clause or schedule as amended which relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence,

a new or unamended clause or schedule which so relates and is within devolved legislative competence, or

the omission of a clause or schedule which so relates and is within devolved legislative competence, or

contains proposals which would, if agreed, so result.

The Speaker shall also certify a motion if, in the Speaker's opinion, it or any provision of it-

relates to a Lords amendment, or an item in another message, which would, if agreed, result in a clause or schedule, which relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence, ceasing to so relate or to be within devolved legislative competence, or

contains proposals which, if agreed, would so result.

Any motion certified under paragraph (4) shall be certified as relating exclusively to the area to which the clause or schedule relates (and there shall be no certification as to devolved legislative competence).

The same motion may be certified in relation to different areas under paragraphs (2) and (4) or either of them.

If a division is held on a motion certified under this order, the motion shall be agreed to only if, of those voting in the division-

in the case of a motion certified in relation to England, a majority of Members and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England,

in the case of a motion certified in relation to England and Wales, a majority of Members and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and Wales, and

in the case of a motion certified both in relation to England and in relation to England and Wales, a majority of Members, a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and a majority of Members representing constituencies in England and Wales,

vote in support of the motion.

The Speaker shall, in selecting motions relating to Lords amendments or other messages, have regard to the extent to which such motions are drafted so that they can be certified under this order by virtue of every provision of them meeting the test in paragraph (3)(a) or (b) or (4)(a) or (b).

If a motion relating to a Lords amendment or other message is disagreed to under this order because one of the groups voting in the division has not voted in support of it while another has, the decision of the House shall be-

in the case of a motion to disagree (or agree) to a Lords amendment or an item in another message, to disagree with it, and

in any other case, such decision as would have the effect of leaving the bill so far as it relates to that matter in the same position as it was before the Lords amendment or other message was received from the Lords.

The Speaker shall announce any decision under paragraph (2) or (4) to the House.

This order does not apply in relation to-

any motion relating to a bill which was not eligible for certification under Standing Order No. 83J, and

any of the following motions-

any ways and means motion or motion for a money resolution,

any programme motion,

any order of consideration motion,

any motion of, or relating to, the Reasons Committee, and

any other motion of a similar kind to a motion falling within any of paragraphs (i) to (iv).

In this order-

references to motions are to be read as including, so far as relevant, references to amendments to Lords amendments and references to amendments to the bill, and

the reference in paragraph (3)(a)(i) to clauses or schedules as amended includes, in particular, a reference to clauses or schedules which would be amended by virtue of their territorial application being modified otherwise than in the clauses or schedules themselves.

Paragraphs (2) to (4), (7) and (8)(a) of Standing Order No. 83J apply for the purposes of deciding under this order whether clauses or schedules relate exclusively to England or to England and Wales and are within devolved legislative competence as they apply for the purposes of the certification of clauses or schedules under that order; and, in the case of a bill which relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales, paragraph (6) of that order also applies for the purpose of deciding under this order whether clauses or schedules so relate.

The Speaker shall-

consider every instrument to which this order applies, and

certify any such instrument which, in the Speaker's opinion-

relates exclusively to England or to England and Wales, and

is within devolved legislative competence.

An instrument-

relates exclusively to England and is within devolved legislative competence if every provision of it relates exclusively to England and is within devolved legislative competence;

relates exclusively to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence if every provision of it relates exclusively to England and Wales and is within devolved legislative competence.

Paragraphs (2) to (4), (6) and (7) of Standing Order No. 83J apply for the purposes of this order; and as so applied those paragraphs have effect as if-

references to a bill were to an instrument, and

references to a clause or schedule were to a provision of an instrument.

In deciding whether to certify an instrument under this order the Speaker may consult two members of the Panel of Chairs who are appointed for this purpose by the Committee of Selection on a session by session basis.

The Speaker shall announce any decision under this order to the House.

This order applies to any instrument (whether or not in draft) upon which proceedings may be taken in pursuance of an Act of Parliament where the instrument-

meets any of conditions A to C, and

is not a report within paragraph (1)(a) to (c) of Standing Order No. 83R.

Condition A is that the instrument-

stands referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee pursuant to paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), or

does not stand so referred because sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph applies to it.

Condition B is that a member has given notice of a motion of the kind mentioned in paragraph (4)(a) of Standing Order No. 118 in relation to the instrument and the instrument-

stands referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee, or

has been set down for consideration in the Chamber on a particular day.

Condition C is that the Regulatory Reform Committee has made a recommendation of the kind mentioned in paragraph (1) or (2) of Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft legislative reform orders etc.) in relation to the instrument.

This order applies to the following motions-

a motion to approve a certified instrument;

a motion of the kind mentioned in paragraph (4)(a) of Standing Order No. 118 in relation to a certified instrument;

a motion to disagree with a report of the Regulatory Reform Committee that contains a recommendation of the kind mentioned in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 18 in relation to a certified instrument;

an amendment to a motion within sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

If a division is held on a motion to which this order applies, the motion shall be agreed to only if, of those voting in the division-

a majority of Members, and

a majority of Members representing qualifying constituencies,

vote in support of the motion.

In this order-

"a certified instrument" means an instrument which has been certified under Standing Order No. 83P as relating exclusively to England or to England and Wales;

"qualifying constituencies" means constituencies in the part of the United Kingdom to which the instrument has been certified as relating exclusively.

This order applies to the following motions-

a motion to approve-

a report which has been laid before the House under paragraph 5 of Schedule 7B to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (local government finance report) and which contains a determination under section 78 of that Act (revenue support grant), or

a report which has been laid before the House under section 84A of that Act (revenue support grant: amending report);

a motion to approve a report which has been laid before the House under section 52ZD of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (referendums relating to council tax increases: principles);

a motion to approve a report which has been laid before the House under section 46 of the Police Act 1996 (police grant);

a motion for a resolution under section 26(2)(b)(ii) of the Higher Education Act 2004 (student fees);

an amendment to a motion within sub-paragraph (d).

If a division is held on a motion to which this order applies, the motion shall be agreed to only if, of those voting in the division-

a majority of Members, and

a majority of Members representing qualifying constituencies,

vote in support of the motion.

In this order "qualifying constituencies" means-

in the case of a motion within paragraph (1)(a), (b), (d) or (e), constituencies in England;

in the case of a motion within paragraph (1)(c), constituencies in England or Wales.

In their application in relation to a bill within paragraph (2), Standing Orders Nos. 83J to 83N shall have effect with the modifications in paragraphs (3) to (5).

A bill is within this paragraph if-

it is a Finance Bill, or

it is a bill which, before second reading, only contained provision which would be within the ordinary scope of a Finance Bill (or would be if the provision was to take effect in the current financial year).

In Standing Order No. 83J-

in paragraph (1)(b)(i) after "Wales" insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland";

in paragraph (2) after "Wales" (in both places) insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland";

after paragraph (4) insert-

"(4A) A clause or schedule which relates exclusively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland is within devolved legislative competence if it would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to make any corresponding provision for Scotland in an Act of that Parliament.";

in paragraph (5) after sub-paragraph (b) insert ";

relates exclusively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is within devolved legislative competence if every clause and every schedule of it relates exclusively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is within devolved legislative competence";

in paragraph (6) after "Wales" insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland"; and

after paragraph (11) insert-

"(12) The test in paragraph (3)(a), (4)(a) or (4A) is also met if the clause or schedule concerned sets a rate of income tax in respect of any kind of income for a person who is resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes but is not a Scottish taxpayer where the corresponding rate for a Scottish taxpayer may be set by a resolution of the Scottish Parliament under Chapter 2 of Part 4A of the Scotland Act 1998 (and the reference in paragraph (7) to the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament includes a reference to that Chapter)".

In Standing Order No. 83L, in paragraph (2)(b)(i) after "Wales" insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland".

In Standing Order No. 83M-

in paragraph (1) after "Wales" (in each place) insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland";

for paragraph (4) substitute-

"(4) If a Minister of the Crown indicates his or her intention to move Consent Motions which are to be passed by more than one legislative grand committee-

the order in which the Consent Motions are to be considered is:

any motion to be considered by the Legislative Grand Committee (England, Wales and Northern Ireland),

any motion to be considered by the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales), and

any motion to be considered by the Legislative Grand Committee (England),

the House shall forthwith resolve itself into the legislative grand committee which is to consider the first Consent Motion,

on moving that motion, the Minister shall also inform the committee of the terms of any other Consent Motion to be moved in any other legislative grand committee,

any debate in the first legislative grand committee may also relate to any other Consent Motion to be moved in any other legislative grand committee,

on conclusion of proceedings in the first legislative grand committee-

the House shall forthwith resolve itself into the legislative grand committee which is to consider the next Consent Motion,

a Minister of the Crown shall forthwith move that motion, and

proceedings in the second legislative grand committee shall be brought to a conclusion forthwith, and

on conclusion of proceedings in the second legislative grand committee, sub-paragraphs (e)(i) to (iii) shall apply in relation to any third Consent Motion and a third legislative grand committee as they apply in relation to the second Consent Motion and the second legislative grand committee.";

in paragraph (5) for "(4)(d)(iii)" substitute "(4)(e)(iii) and (f)"; and

in paragraph (6) for "second Consent Motion" substitute "Consent Motions".

In their application in relation to a financial instrument, Standing Orders Nos. 83P and 83Q shall have effect with the following modifications.

In Standing Order No. 83P-

in paragraph (1)(b)(i) after "Wales" insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland";

in paragraph (2) after sub-paragraph (b) insert";

relates exclusively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is within devolved legislative competence if every provision of it relates exclusively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is within devolved legislative competence"; and

in paragraph (3) for the words from the beginning to "apply" substitute "Paragraphs (2) to (4A), (6), (7) and (12) of Standing Order No. 83J (as modified by Standing Order No. 83S(3))".

In Standing Order No. 83Q(3)(a) after "Wales" insert "or to England, Wales and Northern Ireland".

For the purposes of this order an instrument is a "financial instrument" if it is made or proposed to be made in exercise of powers conferred by (and only by)-

an Act which resulted from a Finance Bill;

a provision of an Act which would have been within the ordinary scope of a Finance Bill.

This order applies to any founding motion which, if passed, would-

authorise a bill to include provision which would be within the ordinary scope of a Finance Bill, or

authorise a Finance Bill to include provision which would not be within the ordinary scope of a Finance Bill.

The Speaker shall-

consider every motion to which this order applies, and

certify any such motion which, in the Speaker's opinion, falls within paragraph (3), (4) or (5).

A motion falls within this paragraph if it would, if passed, only authorise a bill to include provision which-

relates exclusively to England, and

is within devolved legislative competence.

A motion falls within this paragraph if it would, if passed, only authorise a bill to include provision which-

relates exclusively to England and Wales, and

is within devolved legislative competence.

A motion falls within this paragraph if it would, if passed, only authorise a bill to include provision which-

relates exclusively to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and

is within devolved legislative competence.

In deciding whether to certify under this order a motion to which this order applies, the Speaker may consult two members of the Panel of Chairs who are appointed for this purpose by the Committee of Selection on a session by session basis.

The Speaker shall announce any decision under this order to the House.

Paragraphs (2) to (4A), (7) and (12) of Standing Order No. 83J (as modified by Standing Order No. 83S(3)) apply for the purposes of this order; and as so applied those paragraphs have effect as if references to a clause or schedule were to a provision.

In paragraph (1) "founding motion" means a motion upon which a bill is to be brought in.

If a division is held on a motion which has been certified under Standing Order No. 83U, the motion shall be agreed to only if, of those voting in the division-

a majority of Members, and

a majority of Members representing qualifying constituencies,

vote in support of the motion.

In this order "qualifying constituencies" means-

in a case where the motion concerned was certified as falling within paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 83U, constituencies in England;

in a case where the motion concerned was certified as falling within paragraph (4) of that standing order, constituencies in England or Wales;

in a case where the motion concerned was certified as falling within paragraph (5) of that standing order, constituencies in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

There shall be-

a Legislative Grand Committee (England),

a Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales), and

a Legislative Grand Committee (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

The Legislative Grand Committee (England) shall consist of all Members representing constituencies in England.

The Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) shall consist of all Members representing constituencies in England and all Members representing constituencies in Wales.

The Legislative Grand Committee (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) shall consist of-

all Members representing constituencies in England,

all Members representing constituencies in Wales, and

all Members representing constituencies in Northern Ireland.

A Deputy Speaker or a Member of the Panel of Chairs may chair a legislative grand committee.

The functions of the Legislative Grand Committee (England) shall be-

to consider any bills committed or recommitted to the committee in accordance with Standing Order No. 83K, and

to consider any Consent Motions under Standing Order No. 83M which relate to the committee.

The functions of the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) and the Legislative Grand Committee (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) are to consider any Consent Motions under Standing Order No. 83M which relate to them.

Any Member who is not a member of a legislative grand committee may take part in the deliberations of the committee but shall not vote or make any motion or move any amendment.

The procedure of this House applicable to a committee of the whole House shall, so far as relevant, be applicable to a legislative grand committee.

Accordingly, references in the standing orders of this House to a committee of the whole House or to the House in committee, or similar references, shall be read as references to the relevant legislative grand committee.

Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee).

The following committees shall be general committees:

second reading committees;

public bill committees;

committees to consider bills on report;

the Scottish Grand Committee;

the Welsh Grand Committee;

the Northern Ireland Grand Committee;

the Regional Affairs Committee;

Delegated Legislation Committees;

the European Committees.

A public bill committee shall be appointed for the consideration of each bill committed to such a committee, subject to paragraphs (4) and (5).

A public bill committee to which a bill is, or certain provisions of a bill are, committed by means of a programme order under Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions) shall have the power to send for persons, papers and records.

A public bill committee given the power (under paragraph (2) of this order or paragraph (2)(b) of Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills not subject to a programme order)) to send for persons, papers and records may hear oral evidence at such meetings as the committee may appoint, and, unless the committee otherwise orders, all such evidence shall be given in public. The oral evidence shall be printed in the official report of the committee's debates and the committee shall have power to report written evidence to the House as if it were a select committee.

A Scottish public bill committee shall be appointed for the consideration of-

each bill certified by the Speaker as relating exclusively to Scotland and committed to a public bill committee, and

each bill committed to a Scottish public bill committee.

The Committee of Selection may not nominate a public bill committee in respect of a private Member's bill while proceedings in another public bill committee on a private Member's bill are still active, unless notice of a motion in support of that nomination has been tabled by a Minister of the Crown: Provided that, if a private Member in charge of a bill for which a public bill committee has been nominated informs the Committee of Selection that he does not intend for the time being to proceed with the committee stage of his bill, the committee may nominate another public bill committee; but in such cases the first public bill committee may not meet until the second public bill committee has concluded its proceedings.

The chair or chairs of each general committee shall be appointed by the Speaker from the Panel of Chairs.

The Speaker may change the chairs so appointed from time to time.

When more than one chair is appointed to a general committee any of the chairs so appointed may exercise the powers conferred by paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 89 (Procedure in general committees).

The Panel of Chairs, of which three shall be a quorum, shall have power to consider matters of procedure relating to general committees and to report its opinion thereupon to the House from time to time.

Any member of a general committee may, at the request of the chair of the committee, act as chair for not more than a quarter of an hour on any one occasion: Provided that such member shall not exercise the powers conferred on the chair of a general committee by paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 89 (Procedure in general committees).

Save in the case of-

the Scottish Grand Committee,

the Welsh Grand Committee,

a committee for the consideration of a bill on report, and

a European Committee,

the Committee of Selection shall nominate not fewer than sixteen nor more than fifty Members to serve on each general committee for the consideration of each bill allocated or referred to it, or for the consideration of instruments (whether or not in draft) referred to it.

In nominating such Members the Committee of Selection shall have regard to the qualifications of those Members nominated and to the composition of the House, and shall have power to discharge Members from time to time and appoint others in substitution for those discharged: Provided that-

for the consideration of any public bill certified by the Speaker as relating exclusively to Scotland or of a public bill (or part of a public bill) ordered to be considered by a Scottish public bill committee, the committee shall be so constituted as to include not fewer than sixteen Members representing Scottish constituencies;

for the consideration of any public bill relating exclusively to Wales, the committee shall be so constituted as to include all Members sitting for constituencies in Wales;

for the consideration of any bill a draft of which, or of parts of which, has been considered by a committee of this House, the Committee of Selection shall treat a Member's membership of that committee as one of the qualifications to which it shall have regard;

for the consideration of any bill certified by the Speaker under Standing Order No. 83J (or, in the case of recommittal after recertification, Standing Order No. 83L) as relating exclusively to England and being within devolved legislative competence, the Committee of Selection, in nominating Members to a public bill committee, shall have regard to the composition of that part of the House consisting of Members representing constituencies in England; and no Member who does not represent a constituency in England shall be nominated to such a committee.

The Attorney General, the Advocate General and the Solicitor General, or any of them, being Members of the House, though not members of a general committee, may take part in the deliberations of the committee, but shall not vote or make any motion or move any amendment other than a motion in the Scottish Grand Committee under Standing Order No. 93 (Scottish Grand Committee (composition and business)) or a motion in the Welsh Grand Committee under Standing Order No. 102 (Welsh Grand Committee (composition and business)) or a motion in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee under Standing Order No. 109 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (composition and business)) or a motion or an amendment in a European Committee under Standing Order No. 119 (European Committees) or be counted in the quorum.

In a general committee which is to consider a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution any Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, though not a member of the general committee, may take part in the deliberations of the committee, but shall not vote or make any motion or move any amendment or be counted in the quorum.

A general committee to which a bill or other business has been or stands committed shall meet to consider such business on the day and at the hour named by the Member appointed chair of the committee in respect of that business. If the consideration of the business is not completed at that sitting, and subject to the proviso in paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 84A (Public bill committees), the committee shall meet further to consider the business on such days of the week and at such times as may be appointed by the committee:

Provided that no general committee shall sit at Westminster, on a day on which the House sits, between the hours of one o'clock and half-past three o'clock in the afternoon on Mondays, between the hours of twenty-five minutes past eleven o'clock in the morning and half-past one o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or between the hours of twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock in the morning and half-past eleven o'clock in the morning on Thursdays, except as hereinafter provided.

If a general committee to which the proviso to paragraph (1) of this order applies is not previously adjourned, the chair shall adjourn the committee without putting any question at one o'clock, twenty-five minutes past eleven o'clock or twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock, as the case may be, save as provided in Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)), Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)) and Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)): Provided that-

if, in the opinion of the chair, the proceedings on a bill or other business could be brought to a final conclusion by a short extension of the sitting, he may defer adjourning the committee for a quarter of an hour;

if proceedings under Standing Order No. 36 (Closure of debate) be in progress at the time when the chair is required to adjourn the committee under this paragraph, he shall not adjourn the committee until the question for the closure of debate, the question or questions consequent thereon and on any further motion as provided in that Standing Order, have been decided.

Any general committee may sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House.

Except as provided in Standing Order No. 93 (Scottish Grand Committee (composition and business)), Standing Order No. 102 (Welsh Grand Committee (composition and business)), Standing Order No. 109 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (composition and business)), Standing Order No. 117 (Regional Affairs Committee) and Standing Order No. 119 (European Committees) the quorum of a general committee shall be seventeen or one third of the number of its members excluding the chair, whichever is the less; and in calculating the quorum fractions shall be counted as one.

The public shall be admitted to a general committee unless the committee otherwise orders.

Any notice of an amendment to a bill which has been committed or referred to a general committee, or of a motion relative to a European Union document or documents or an amendment thereto given under Standing Order No. 119 (European Committees) shall stand referred to the committee, and the chair shall have the like powers as are given to the Speaker, the Chairman of Ways and Means and either Deputy Chairman respectively by Standing Order No. 32 (Selection of amendments).

Standing Orders No. 29 (Powers of chair to propose question), No. 36 (Closure of debate) and No. 37 (Majority for closure or for proposal of question) shall apply to general committees, except that the number necessary to render the majority effective for the closure or for the proposal of the question shall be the number prescribed as the quorum by paragraph (1) of this order.

The chair of a general committee shall have the like powers as are given to a chair of a committee of the whole House under the following Standing Orders: No. 35 (Dilatory motion in abuse of rules of House), No. 42 (Irrelevance or repetition), No. 42A (Sub judice), and No. 68 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part).

The following Standing Orders shall apply to general committees: No. 124 (Quorum of select committees), No. 128 (Entry on formal minutes of select committee), and No. 129 (Formal minutes to be reported).

On a division being called in the House or a committee of the whole House the chair of a general committee shall suspend the proceedings of the committee for such time as will, in his opinion, enable Members to vote in the division and return to the committee.

All general committees shall have leave to print and circulate their proceedings with the Vote.

A motion, of which at least ten days' notice has been given, may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, that a public bill be referred to a second reading committee, and the question thereupon shall be put forthwith; and if, on the question being put, not fewer than twenty Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, the Speaker shall declare that the noes have it: Provided that no such notice shall be given until the bill has been printed and delivered to the Vote Office.

A motion, of which at least ten days' notice has been given, may with the leave of the House be made by the Member in charge of a private Member's bill at the commencement of public business on any day when private Members' bills have precedence under the provisions of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), that the said bill be referred to a second reading committee, and the question thereupon shall be put forthwith. If such a motion be agreed to, any order that the said bill be read a second time which stands on the paper for that or any subsequent day shall be discharged. No such motion shall be made before the eighth Friday on which private Members' bills have precedence and no such notice shall be given until the bill has been printed and delivered to the Vote Office.

A second reading committee shall report to the House either that it recommends that the bill ought to be read a second time or that it recommends that the bill ought not to be read a second time, and in the latter case it shall have power to state its reasons for so recommending.

When a second reading committee shall have made a report to the House in respect of a bill referred to it under paragraph (2) above, the bill shall be ordered to be read a second time upon a future day.

Upon a motion being made for the second reading of a bill reported from a second reading committee, the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

A bill which has been considered by a second reading committee or by the Scottish Grand Committee in relation to the principle of the bill may be referred for consideration on report to a committee to consider bills on report or to the Scottish Grand Committee, as the case may be, upon a motion made after notice by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith; and if, on the question being put, not fewer than twenty Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, the Speaker shall declare that the noes have it.

A committee to consider bills on report shall consist of not fewer than twenty nor more than eighty Members, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve on the committee for the consideration of each bill referred to it; and in the nomination of such Members, the Committee of Selection shall have regard to their qualifications and to the composition of the House:

Provided that, for the consideration of all public bills relating exclusively to Wales, the committee shall be so constituted as to include all Members sitting for constituencies in Wales.

Any committee to which a bill is referred under this order shall report to the House that it has considered the bill and has made amendments or has made no amendment thereunto, as the case may be; and the bill so reported shall be ordered to be read the third time upon a future day.

There shall be a general committee called the Scottish Grand Committee, which shall consist of all Members representing Scottish constituencies; and of which (subject to paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings))) the quorum shall be ten.

The business of the Committee shall include-

questions tabled in accordance with Standing Order No. 94 (Scottish Grand Committee (questions for oral answer));

short debates held in accordance with Standing Order No. 95 (Scottish Grand Committee (short debates));

ministerial statements proceeded with in accordance with Standing Order No. 96 (Scottish Grand Committee (ministerial statements));

bills referred to it for consideration or further consideration in relation to their principle, in accordance with Standing Order No. 97 (Scottish Grand Committee (bills in relation to their principle));

motions relating to instruments (whether or not in draft) referred to it in accordance with Standing Order No. 98 (Scottish Grand Committee (delegated legislation));

motions for the adjournment of the committee, notice of which has been given in accordance with Standing Order No. 99 (Scottish Grand Committee (substantive motions for the adjournment)); and

motions for the adjournment of the committee made under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)).

Any Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, though not a member of the committee, may take part in the deliberations of the committee and may make a motion, but shall not vote or be counted in the quorum.

Notices of questions for oral answer in the Scottish Grand Committee by Scotland Office ministers or Scottish law officers on a day specified in an order made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)), may be given by members of the committee in the Table Office.

Notices of questions given under this order shall bear an indication that they are for oral answer in the Scottish Grand Committee.

No more than one notice of a question may be given under this order by any member of the committee for each day specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)) for the taking of questions.

On any day so specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)), questions shall be taken at the commencement of the sitting; no question shall be taken later than three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of the proceedings thereon; and replies to questions not reached shall be printed with the official report of the committee's debates for that day.

Notices of questions under this order may be given ten sitting days before that on which an answer is desired save where otherwise provided by a memorandum under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 22 (Notices of questions, motions and amendments): Provided that when it is proposed that the House shall adjourn for a period of fewer than four days, any day during that period (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) shall be counted as a sitting day for the purposes of the calculation made under this paragraph.

Notices of subjects to be raised in short debates in the Scottish Grand Committee, on a day specified in an order made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)), may be given by members of the committee in the Table Office.

Subjects of which notice is given under paragraph (1) of this order must relate to Scotland.

Not more than one notice of a subject may be given under this order by any member of the committee for each day specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)) for the holding of short debates.

On any day so specified such debates shall be held at the commencement of the sitting or, if the order under paragraph (1) specifies also the taking of questions on that day, immediately after questions.

No Member except the Minister of the Crown replying to the debate shall be called to speak later than half an hour after the commencement of the first such debate.

The Member who gave notice of the subject and the Minister of the Crown replying to the debate may each speak for five minutes. Other Members may speak for three minutes.

The chair may direct any Member who exceeds the limits in sub-paragraph (b) to resume his seat forthwith.

Notices of subjects under this order may be given ten sitting days before that on which they are sought to be raised: Provided that when it is proposed that the House shall adjourn for a period of fewer than four days, any day during that period (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) shall be counted as a sitting day for the purposes of the calculation made under this paragraph.

The chair of the Scottish Grand Committee may permit a Minister of the Crown, whether or not a Member of the House, to make a statement, of which prior notice has been given to him, and to answer questions thereon put by members of the committee.

Ministerial statements may be made for the purpose of-

facilitating the questioning by members of the committee of the Minister of the Crown about a matter relating to his official responsibilities so far as they relate to Scotland, which, in the case of a Scottish law officer, shall be as provided in the second column of the relevant sub-paragraph of paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments), in which case proceedings under this order shall be brought to a conclusion either at an hour appointed by an order of the committee, for which a motion may be made without notice by a member of the government immediately before the commencement of such proceedings, on which motion the question shall be put forthwith, or, if no such motion is made, not later than three-quarters of an hour after their commencement; or

announcing the policy of the government on a matter relating to Scotland or the response of the government to an event relating to Scotland, in which case proceedings under this order shall be brought to a conclusion at the discretion of the chair.

Ministerial statements may be made-

at the commencement of a sitting; or

if questions are taken, immediately after the conclusion of proceedings thereon; or

if short debates are held, immediately after the conclusion of those proceedings.

A Minister of the Crown making a statement under paragraph (1) of this order, who is not a Member of the House, may not do so from the body of the committee; and shall not vote, make any motion or be counted in the quorum.

After any public bill has been first printed, the Speaker shall, if of the opinion that its provisions relate exclusively to Scotland, give a certificate to that effect: Provided that a certificate shall not be withheld by reason only that the bill-

makes minor consequential amendments of enactments which extend to England and Wales or Northern Ireland; or

amends Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 or Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975.

On the order being read for the second reading of a bill so certified, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown (or in the case of a private Member's bill, by the Member in charge of the bill), 'That the bill be referred to the Scottish Grand Committee'; and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed: Provided that such a motion may be made by a private Member only with the leave of the House.

A bill so referred to the Scottish Grand Committee shall be considered on a motion, 'That the Committee has considered the bill in relation to its principle'; and, when the committee has considered that question for a total of two and half hours (whether on one or more than one day), the chair shall put the question necessary to dispose of the motion, and shall then report accordingly to the House (or shall report that the committee has come to no resolution), without any further question being put thereon: Provided that a Minister of the Crown may, immediately before the motion 'That the Committee has considered the bill in relation to its principle', is made, make without notice a motion to extend the time-limit specified in this paragraph; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith.

A bill in respect of which a report has been made under paragraph (3) above shall be ordered to be read a second time on a future day.

On the order being read for the second reading of a bill to which paragraph (4) above applies, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown (or, in the case of a private Member's bill, by the Member in charge of the bill), 'That the bill be committed to a Scottish public bill committee'; and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

If a motion made under the preceding paragraph be agreed to, the bill shall be deemed to have been read a second time, and shall stand committed to a Scottish public bill committee.

At the conclusion of proceedings on consideration on report of a bill in respect of which a report has been made under paragraph (3) above, or on the order being read for the third reading of such a bill, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown (or in the case of a private Member's bill, by the Member in charge of the bill), 'That the Bill be referred again to the Scottish Grand Committee'; and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed: Provided that such a motion may be made by a private Member only with the leave of the House.

A bill so referred again to the Scottish Grand Committee shall be considered on a motion, 'That the Committee has further considered the bill in relation to its principle'; and, when the committee has considered that question for a total of one and a half hours (whether on one or more than one day), the chair shall put the question necessary to dispose of the motion, and shall then report accordingly to the House (or shall report that the committee has come to no resolution), without any further question being put thereon: Provided that a Minister of the Crown may, immediately before the motion 'That the Committee has further considered the bill in relation to its principle' is made, make without notice a motion to extend the time-limit specified in this paragraph; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith.

A bill in respect of which a report has been made under paragraph (8) above shall be ordered to be read the third time on a future day.

When a motion shall have been made for the third reading of a bill to which paragraph (9) above applies, the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

Where-

a Member has given notice of a motion for an humble address to Her Majesty praying that a statutory instrument be annulled, or of a motion of a similar character relating to a statutory instrument or to any other instrument (whether or not in draft) which may be subject to proceedings in the House in pursuance of a statute, or of a motion that the House takes note of a statutory instrument, or

a Minister of the Crown has given notice of a motion to the effect that an instrument (whether or not in draft) upon which proceedings may be taken in pursuance of an Act of Parliament (other than a draft legislative reform order) be approved,

a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown, 'That the instrument be referred to the Scottish Grand Committee'; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

The committee shall consider each instrument referred to it on a motion, 'That the Committee has considered the instrument'; and the chair shall put any question necessary to dispose of the proceedings on the motion, if not previously disposed of, not later than one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings thereon; and shall thereupon report the instrument to the House without any further question being put.

If any motion is made in the House of the kind specified in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) of this order, in relation to any instrument in respect of which a report has been made to the House in accordance with paragraph (2) of this order, the Speaker shall put forthwith the question thereon; which may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

On each of the days specified in an order of the House under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)) for the consideration of motions for the adjournment of the Scottish Grand Committee, such motions of which notice has been given in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) below shall have precedence.

A member of the committee giving notice of a motion for the adjournment of the committee under this order shall-

also give notice of the subject to which he intends to call attention on the motion for the adjournment of the committee, and

give such notice of motion and of the subject in writing not later than ten sitting days before that on which the motion is to be made:

Provided that the subject to which attention is called must relate to Scotland.

The days specified for the consideration of motions for the adjournment of the committee under this order shall be allocated as follows-

six at the disposal of the government;

four at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition;

and, in respect of parties other than that of the Leader of the Opposition,

one at the disposal of the leader of the largest opposition party; and

one at the disposal of the leader of the next largest opposition party:

Provided that a day specified in an order of the House under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)) on which business is to be interrupted five hours or more after the commencement of the sitting shall, if no business other than that to which this order applies is set down for consideration on that day, be deemed to be two days for the purposes of this order.

For the purposes of this order, the 'largest' and 'next largest' opposition parties in Scotland shall be those parties, not being represented in Her Majesty's Government and of which the Leader of the Opposition is not a member, which have the largest and next largest number of Members who represent constituencies in Scotland, and of which not fewer than three Members were elected to the House as members of those parties.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown providing (or varying previous provision) for the Scottish Grand Committee-

to sit on specified days in Scotland (or at specified places in Scotland), the sitting commencing, and proceedings being interrupted, at such hours as may be specified;

to sit on other specified days at Westminster at such hours as may be specified;

to take questions under Standing Order No. 94 (Scottish Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)) on certain of the days specified under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above;

to hold short debates under Standing Order No. 95 (Scottish Grand Committee (short debates)) on certain of the days so specified; and

to consider substantive motions for the adjournment of the committee under Standing Order No. 99 (Scottish Grand Committee (substantive motions for the adjournment)) on not more than twelve of the days so specified.

and the Speaker shall put forthwith the question on such a motion, which may be decided after the time for opposed business: Provided that nothing in this order shall prevent the committee from considering further at a sitting at Westminster business adjourned at a previous sitting in Scotland, nor from considering at a sitting in Scotland business adjourned at a sitting at Westminster.

The provisions of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of general committees), so far as they relate to the naming of a day in respect of business by the Member appointed chair and the committee's appointment of future days in respect of business not completed at a sitting, shall not apply to the Scottish Grand Committee.

Other than as provided in paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 99 (Scottish Grand Committee (substantive motions for the adjournment)), the government shall determine the precedence of the business appointed for consideration at any sitting of the committee.

The chair shall interrupt proceedings (other than on a motion made under paragraph (6) below) at the time specified in relation to the sitting by an order made under paragraph (1) above, or, in the absence of such provision, at the time specified in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of general committees), subject to the proviso to that paragraph.

At the moment of interruption, proceedings under consideration and not disposed of shall stand adjourned (except substantive motions for the adjournment of the committee under Standing Order No. 99 (Scottish Grand Committee (substantive motions for the adjournment)).

After the interruption of proceedings or on the completion of the business appointed for consideration at that sitting, whichever is the earlier, a motion for the adjournment of the committee may be made by a member of the government, and, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of general committees) the chair shall, not later than half an hour after the motion has been made, adjourn the committee without putting any question; and in respect of business taken under this paragraph, the quorum of the committee shall be three.

There shall be a general committee called the Welsh Grand Committee, which shall consist of all Members representing Welsh constituencies, together with not more than five other Members nominated by the Committee of Selection, which shall have power from time to time to discharge the Members so nominated by it and to appoint others in substitution for those discharged.

The quorum of the committee shall be seven, subject to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)).

The business of the committee shall include-

questions tabled in accordance with Standing Order No. 103 (Welsh Grand Committee (questions for oral answer));

short debates held in accordance with Standing Order No. 104 (Welsh Grand Committee (short debates));

ministerial statements proceeded with under Standing Order No. 105 (Welsh Grand Committee (ministerial statements));

bills referred to it in accordance with Standing Order No. 106 (Welsh Grand Committee (bills));

such specified matters relating exclusively to Wales as may be referred to it in accordance with Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales)); and

motions for the adjournment of the committee, made under paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)).

Any Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, though not a member of the committee, may take part in the deliberations of the committee and may make a motion, but shall not vote or be counted in the quorum.

Notices of questions for oral answer in the Welsh Grand Committee by Wales Office ministers on a day specified in an order made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)) may be given by members of the committee in the Table Office.

Notices of questions given under this order shall bear an indication that they are for oral answer in the Welsh Grand Committee.

No more than one notice of a question may be given under this order by any member of the committee for each day specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)) for the taking of questions.

On any day so specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)), questions shall be taken at the commencement of the sitting; no such question shall be taken later than half an hour after the commencement of the proceedings thereon; and replies to questions not reached shall be printed with the Official Report of the committee's debates for that day.

Notices of questions under this order may be given ten sitting days before that on which an answer is desired, save where otherwise provided by a memorandum under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 22 (Notices of questions, motions and amendments): Provided that when it is proposed that the House shall adjourn for a period of fewer than four days, any day during that period (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) shall be counted as a sitting day for the purposes of the calculation made under this paragraph.

Notices of subjects to be raised in short debates in the Welsh Grand Committee, on a day specified in an order made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)), may be given by members of the committee in the Table Office.

Subjects of which notice is given under paragraph (1) of this order must relate to Wales.

Not more than one notice of a subject may be given under this order by any member of the committee for each day specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)) for the holding of short debates.

On any day so specified such debates shall be held at the commencement of the sitting or, if the order under paragraph (1) specifies also the taking of questions on that day, immediately after questions.

No Member except the Minister of the Crown replying to the debate shall be called to speak later than half an hour after the commencement of the first such debate.

The Member who gave notice of the subject and the Minister of the Crown replying to the debate may each speak for five minutes. Other Members may speak for three minutes.

The chair may direct any Member who exceeds the limits in sub-paragraph (b) to resume his seat forthwith.

Notice of subjects under this order may be given ten sitting days before that on which they are sought to be raised: Provided that when it is proposed that the House shall adjourn for a period of fewer than four days, any day during that period (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) shall be counted as a sitting day for the purposes of the calculation made under this paragraph.

The chair of the Welsh Grand Committee may permit a Minister of the Crown, whether or not a Member of the House, to make a statement, of which prior notice has been given to him, on a matter relating to Wales, and to answer questions thereon put by members of the committee.

Ministerial statements may be made-

at the commencement of a sitting; or

if questions are taken, immediately after the conclusion of proceedings thereon; or

if short debates are held, immediately after the conclusion of those proceedings.

Proceedings under this order shall be brought to a conclusion at the discretion of the chair.

A Minister of the Crown making a statement under paragraph (1) of this order, who is not a Member of the House, may not do so from the body of the committee; and shall not vote, make any motion or be counted in the quorum.

A motion, of which at least ten days' notice has been given, may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, that a public bill be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith; and if, on the question being put, not fewer than twenty Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, the Speaker shall declare that the noes have it:

Provided that no such notice shall be given until the bill has been printed and delivered to the Vote Office.

The committee shall report to the House either that it recommends that the bill ought to be read a second time or that it recommends that the bill ought not to be read a second time, and in the latter case it shall have power to state its reasons for so recommending.

Upon a motion being made for the second reading of a bill reported from the committee, the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business to the effect that a specified matter or matters relating exclusively to Wales be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

If such a motion be agreed to, the committee shall consider the matter or matters referred to it and shall report only that it has considered the said matter or matters.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown providing (or varying previous provision) for the Welsh Grand Committee-

to sit on specified days in Wales (or at specified places in Wales), the sitting commencing, and proceedings being interrupted, at such hours as shall be specified;

to sit on other specified days at Westminster at such hours as may be specified;

to take questions under Standing Order No. 103 (Welsh Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)) on certain of the days specified under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above;

to hold short debates under Standing Order No. 104 (Welsh Grand Committee (short debates)) on certain of the days so specified;

to consider specified bills which shall have been referred to it under Standing Order No. 106 (Welsh Grand Committee (bills)) on certain of the days so specified; and

to consider specified matters which shall have been referred to it under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales) on certain of the days so specified;

and the Speaker shall put forthwith the question on such a motion, which may be decided at any hour, though opposed: Provided that nothing in this order shall prevent the committee from considering further at a sitting at Westminster business adjourned at a previous sitting in Wales, nor from considering at a sitting in Wales business adjourned at a sitting at Westminster.

The provisions of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of general committees), so far as they relate to the naming of a day in respect of business by the Member appointed chair and the committee's appointment of future days in respect of business not completed at a sitting, shall not apply to the Welsh Grand Committee.

The chair shall interrupt proceedings (other than on a motion made under paragraph (5) below) at the time specified in relation to the sitting by an order made under paragraph (1) above or, in the absence of such provision, at the time specified in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of general committees), subject to the proviso to that paragraph.

At the moment of interruption, proceedings under consideration and not disposed of shall stand adjourned.

After the interruption of proceedings, or on the completion of the business appointed for consideration at that sitting, whichever is the earlier, a motion for the adjournment of the committee may be made by a Minister of the Crown, and, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of general committees) the chair shall, not later than half an hour after the motion has been made, adjourn the committee without putting any question; and in respect of business taken under this paragraph, the quorum of the committee shall be three.

There shall be a general committee called the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, which shall consist of all Members representing constituencies in Northern Ireland, together with not more than twenty-five other Members nominated by the Committee of Selection, which shall have power from time to time to discharge the Members so nominated by it and to appoint others in substitution for those discharged.

The quorum of the committee shall be ten, subject to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)).

The business of the committee shall include-

questions tabled in accordance with Standing Order No. 110 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (questions for oral answer));

short debates held in accordance with Standing Order No. 111 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (short debates));

ministerial statements proceeded with under Standing Order No. 112 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (ministerial statements));

bills referred to it for consideration or further consideration in relation to their principle, in accordance with Standing Order No. 113 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (bills in relation to their principle));

such legislative proposals and other specified matters relating exclusively to Northern Ireland as may be referred to it in accordance with Standing Order No. 114 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (legislative proposals and other matters relating exclusively to Northern Ireland));

instruments (whether or not in draft) referred to it in accordance with Standing Order No. 115 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (delegated legislation)); and

motions for the adjournment of the committee, made under paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)).

Any Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, though not a member of the committee, may take part in the deliberations of the committee and may make a motion, but shall not vote or be counted in the quorum.

Notices of questions for oral answer in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee by Northern Ireland Office ministers on a day specified in an order made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)) may be given by members of the committee in the Table Office.

Notices of questions given under this order shall bear an indication that they are for oral answer in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

No more than one notice of a question may be given under this order by any member of the committee for each day specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)) for the taking of questions.

On any day so specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)), questions shall be taken at the commencement of the sitting; no such question shall be taken later than half an hour after the commencement of the proceedings thereon; and replies to questions not reached shall be printed with the Official Report of the committee's debates for that day.

Notices of questions under this order may be given ten sitting days before that on which an answer is desired, save where otherwise provided by a memorandum under paragraph (6) of Standing Order No. 22 (Notices of questions, motions and amendments): Provided that when it is proposed that the House shall adjourn for a period of fewer than four days, any day during that period (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) shall be counted as a sitting day for the purposes of the calculation made under this paragraph.

Notices of subjects to be raised in short debates in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, on a day specified in an order made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)), may be given by members of the committee in the Table Office.

Subjects of which notice is given under paragraph (1) of this order must relate to Northern Ireland.

Not more than one notice of a subject may be given under this order by any member of the committee for each day specified under paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)) for the holding of short debates.

On any day so specified such debates shall be held at the commencement of the sitting or, if the order under paragraph (1) specifies also the taking of questions on that day, immediately after questions.

No Member except the Minister of the Crown replying to the debate shall be called to speak later than half an hour after the commencement of the first such debate.

The Member who gave notice of the subject and the Minister of the Crown replying to the debate may each speak for five minutes. Other Members may speak for three minutes.

The chair may direct any Member who exceeds the limits in sub-paragraph (b) to resume his seat forthwith.

Notice of subjects under this order may be given ten sitting days before that on which they are sought to be raised: Provided that when it is proposed that the House shall adjourn for a period of fewer than four days, any day during that period (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) shall be counted as a sitting day for the purposes of the calculation made under this paragraph.

The chair of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee may permit a Minister of the Crown, whether or not a Member of the House, to make a statement, of which prior notice has been given to him, on a matter relating to Northern Ireland, and to answer questions thereon put by members of the committee.

Ministerial statements may be made-

at the commencement of a sitting; or

if questions are taken, immediately after the conclusion of proceedings thereon; or

if short debates are held, immediately after the conclusion of those proceedings.

Proceedings under this order shall be brought to a conclusion at the discretion of the chair.

A Minister of the Crown making a statement under paragraph (1) of this order, who is not a Member of the House, may not do so from the body of the committee; and shall not vote, make any motion or be counted in the quorum.

On the order being read for the second reading of a public bill relating exclusively to Northern Ireland, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown (or in the case of a private Member's bill, by the Member in charge of the bill), 'That the bill be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee'; and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed: Provided that such a motion may be made by a private Member only with the leave of the House.

A bill so referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee shall be considered on a motion, 'That the Committee has considered the bill in relation to its principle'; and, when the committee has considered that question for a total of two and a half hours (whether on one or more than one day), the chair shall put the question necessary to dispose of the motion, and shall then report accordingly to the House (or shall report that the committee has come to no resolution), without any further question being put thereon: Provided that a Minister of the Crown may, immediately before the motion 'That the Committee has considered the bill in relation to its principle' is made, make without notice a motion to extend the time-limit specified in this paragraph; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith.

A bill in respect of which a report has been made under paragraph (2) above shall be ordered to be read a second time on a future day.

When a motion shall have been made for the second reading of a bill to which paragraph (3) above applies, the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

At the conclusion of proceedings on consideration on report of a bill in respect of which a report has been made under paragraph (2) above, or on the order being read for the third reading of such a bill, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown (or in the case of a private Member's bill by the Member in charge of the bill), 'That the bill be referred again to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee'; and the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed: Provided that such a motion may be made by a private Member only with the leave of the House.

A bill so referred again to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee shall be considered on a motion, 'That the Committee has further considered the bill in relation to its principle'; and, when the committee has considered that question for a total of one and a half hours (whether on one or more than one day), the chair shall put the question necessary to dispose of the motion, and shall then report accordingly to the House (or shall report that the committee has come to no resolution), without any further question being put thereon: Provided that a Minister of the Crown may, immediately before the motion 'That the Committee has further considered the bill in relation to its principle' is made, make without notice a motion to extend the time-limit specified in this paragraph; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith.

A bill in respect of which a report has been made under paragraph (6) above shall be ordered to be read the third time on a future day.

When a motion shall have been made for the third reading of a bill to which paragraph (7) above applies, the question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business to the effect that a legislative proposal or other specified matter relating exclusively to Northern Ireland be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee for its consideration, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

If such a motion be agreed to, the committee shall consider the legislative proposal or matter referred to it and shall report only that it has considered the said legislative proposal or matter.

In this order and in Standing Orders No. 109 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (composition and business)) and No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)) 'a legislative proposal' means a proposal for a draft Order in Council relating exclusively to Northern Ireland.

Where-

a Member has given notice of a motion for an humble address to Her Majesty praying that a statutory instrument be annulled, or of a motion of a similar character relating to a statutory instrument, or to any other instrument (whether or not in draft) which may be subject to proceedings in the House in pursuance of a statute, or of a motion that the House takes note of a statutory instrument, or

a Minister of the Crown has given notice of a motion to the effect that an instrument (whether or not in draft) upon which proceedings may be taken in pursuance of an Act of Parliament (other than a draft legislative reform order) be approved,

a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown, 'That the instrument be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee'; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

The committee shall consider each instrument referred to it on a motion, 'That the Committee has considered the instrument'; and the chair shall put any question necessary to dispose of the proceedings on the motion, if not previously disposed of, not later than two and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings thereon; and shall thereupon report the instrument to the House without any further question being put: Provided that a Minister of the Crown may, immediately before the motion 'That the Committee has considered the instrument' is made, make without notice a motion to extend to three hours the time-limit specified in this paragraph; and the question on such motion shall be put forthwith.

If any motion is made in the House of the kind specified in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) of this order, in relation to any instrument in respect of which a report has been made to the House in accordance with paragraph (2) of this order, the Speaker shall put forthwith the question thereon; which may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown providing (or varying previous provision) for the Northern Ireland Grand Committee-

to sit on not more than two specified days in Northern Ireland (at places to be named by the Member appointed chair), the sitting commencing, and proceedings being interrupted, at such hours as shall be specified;

to sit on other specified days at Westminster at such hours as shall be specified;

to take questions under Standing Order No. 110 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)) on certain of the days specified under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above;