Table of Contents

Chapter 8

Decorum and order at Council meetings
Introductory
Manner of speaking
Speaking to the Chair
Speaking order
Historical background
Current practice
Interruptions
Raising a point of order
Seeking elucidation
Explaining misunderstanding
President's power under Rule 36(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Speaking time
Normal speaking time
Speaking time for debates on motions not intended to have legislative effect
Public officers' speaking time
Speaking more than once on a question
Speaking in committee of the whole Council
Historical background
Measures to deal with filibusters
Closing of debate in May 2012
Scheduling of business for the remainder of the 2011-2012 session
Time orders
Further discussion by the Committee on Rules of Procedure
Content of speeches
Offensive and unparliamentary expressions
Behaviours when not speaking
Attire
Other behaviour
Crossing the floor
Reading other materials
No interruptions to a Member or a public officer speaking
Display of objects at meetings
General principles
Studies conducted by the Committee on Rules of Procedure
Decision of the Chair final
Disciplinary actions under the Rules of Procedure
Discontinuation of speeches
Withdrawal of offensive or unparliamentary expressions
Resumption of seat
Immediate withdrawal from the Council for grossly disorderly conduct
Repeated grossly disorderly conduct at Council meetings
Extension of rules of order to other committees

List of Appendices

8-A

President’s ruling on closing the joint debate at the Committee stage of the Legislative Council (Amendment) Bill 2012

8-B

President’s ruling on allocation of time for the remaining proceedings on the Appropriation Bill 2013

8-C

President’s ruling on allocation of time for the remaining proceedings on the Appropriation Bill 2014

8-D

Expressions which have been ruled to be offensive and insulting language about Members or public officers attending the relevant meeting or unparliamentary in the context in which the expressions were used