Annex 1: Proposed revision to Standing Order No. 47 (Time limits on speeches)
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Existing text |
Proposed revision |
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(1) 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. |
(1) 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. |
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(2) 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. |
(2) 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 discontinue his or her speech. |
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(3) 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. |
(3) The Speaker may announce, at or before the commencement start 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 discontinue his or her speech. |
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(4) 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. |
(4) The Speaker may announce, at or before the commencement start 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 discontinue his or her speech. |
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(5) In relation to any speech, the Speaker shall add to any period specified— (a) under paragraph (1) of this order— (i) one minute if one intervention is accepted, plus the time taken by that intervention; (ii) two minutes if two or more interventions are accepted, plus the time taken by the first two such interventions; (b) under paragraph (3) or (4) of this order, one minute for each intervention accepted up to a maximum of fifteen minutes. |
(5) In relation to any speech, the Speaker shall add to any period specified— (a) of more than five minutes under paragraph (1) of this order— (i) one minute if one intervention is accepted, plus the time taken by that intervention; (ii) if a second intervention is accepted, the time taken by that intervention only. b) under paragraph (3) or (4) of this order, one minute for each intervention accepted up to a maximum of fifteen minutes. |
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(6) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this order shall have effect at any sitting in Westminster Hall, and in relation to any speech in Westminster Hall to which those provisions apply the occupant of the chair shall add to any period specified under paragraph (1) of this order— (a) one minute if one intervention is accepted, plus the time taken by that intervention; (b) two minutes if two or more interventions are accepted, plus the time taken by the first two such interventions. |
NOTE: This proposed revision of Standing Order No. 47 incorporates the revisions to the language of that Order proposed by the Procedure Committee in its Sixth Report of Session 2014–15, Revision of Standing Orders, HC 654.
The revisions to the language include the introduction of gender neutral language to refer to Members, and consistency with the provisions of Standing Order No. 42.
Published: 18 September 2018