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Ch8 Order of business and the sitting day / DIVISIONS / Divisions not proceeded with / Discretion of Chair



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House of Representatives                                Ch 8                                                 p 272

 

Order of business and the sitting day / DIVISIONS / Divisions not proceeded with

 

Discretion of Chair

In 1933, on a call for a division on the motion that the House, at a later hour, again resolve itself into committee, the Speaker held the view that the division call was obstructive 1 and, citing House of Commons practice, informed the House that it was within the discretion of the Chair to regard unnecessary calls for divisions on what are termed formal motions as obstructing the business of the House. 2 The Chair has no such discretion in the House of Representatives and the so-called discretion has not been claimed by subsequent Speakers. In fact, the Chair has occasionally dismissed points of order that certain calls for a division were disruptive. 3



H.R. Deb. (30.11.33) 5290.



VP 1932-34/839; H.R. Deb. (30.11.33-1.12.33) 5310-12.



H.R. Deb. (13.3.56) 714.