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House of Representatives                                Ch 10                                                 p 366

Debate

In debate on any question during consideration in detail each Member may speak an unlimited number of periods of up to 5 minutes each. ¹ If no other Member rises the Member who has just spoken may speak again immediately, after being recognised by the Chair. An extension of time could be agreed to, the extension not to exceed two and a half minutes. However, as there is no limit on the number of opportunities to speak, in practice it is unlikely that an extension would be sought.

Debate must be relevant to the subject matter of the clause(s), schedule(s), item(s) or amendment(s) before the House or Main Committee, ² and cannot extend to other clauses or schedules which have been, or remain to be, dealt with. Discussion of matters relating to an amendment ruled out of order is not permitted. ³ When the question before the Chair is that a particular clause be agreed to, the limits of discussion may be narrow. When a bill is considered, by leave, as a whole, the debate is widened to include any part of the bill. ⁴ However, discussion must relate to the clauses of the bill, and it is not in order to make a general second reading speech. ⁵

S.O. 1.

S.O. 150(b).

H.R. Deb. (14.9.61) 1195-6.

H.R. Deb. (25.10.55) 1856.

H.R. Deb. (16.5.61) 1903.