The House shall meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at half-past two o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, motions for unopposed returns, questions and ballots for notices of motions.

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. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration), 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, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the proceedings on any business then under consideration shall, save as otherwise provided in paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 3 (Exempted business), be interrupted; and, if the House be in committee, the chairman 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, or of the debate, or in committee that the chairman do report progress, or do leave the chair, every such motion shall lapse.

On the interruption of business the closure may be moved; and if moved, or if proceedings under Standing Order No. 30 (Closure of debate) be then in progress, Mr. Speaker or the chairman shall not leave the chair until the questions consequent thereon and any further question, as provided in Standing Order No. 30 (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 ten o'clock has been disposed of, no opposed business shall be taken, save as provided in Standing Order No. 3 (Exempted business).

The House shall not be adjourned except in pursuance of a resolution or by Mr. Speaker in pursuance of paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 2 (Sittings of the House (suspended sittings)) or Standing Order No. 26 (Power of Mr. 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 ten o'clock Mr. Speaker shall, after the expiration of half an hour after that motion has been made, adjourn the House without putting any question.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 02 May 1902(+26), 01 December 1902, 03 April 1906, 28 July 1909, 19 February 1919, 20 February 1919, 21 December 1927, 14 November 1933, 09 March 1945, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 25 October 1960, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 04 April 1974, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 12 November 2008, 04 March 2010, 11 July 2012

A motion may be made after ten o'clock by a Minister of the Crown, 'That the proceedings of this day's sitting be suspended', and the question thereon shall be put forthwith; and if the question be agreed to in the House, a motion may immediately thereafter be made, 'That this House do now adjourn', and at the conclusion of the debate on that motion and in no case later than half an hour after the motion has been made, the motion shall lapse and Mr. Speaker shall suspend the sitting till ten o'clock on the following morning, or, if it be after midnight, till ten o'clock in the morning of the same day.

If the question on a motion, made likewise in a committee of the whole House, 'That the proceedings of the committee be suspended', be so decided in the affirmative, the chairman shall leave the chair and make a report to that effect, whereupon Mr. Speaker shall forthwith put the question, 'That the proceedings of this day's sitting be suspended', and the House shall proceed thereon in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order, and, if the question be agreed to, a motion for the adjournment of the House may be made and the sitting shall afterwards be suspended as aforesaid; but, if that question be negatived, the House shall immediately again resolve itself into the committee.

On the resumption of the sitting the House shall forthwith resume the suspended proceedings and may afterwards proceed with the remaining business of the sitting which has been suspended: Provided that-

(a) on a motion being made by a Minister of the Crown, 'That this House do now adjourn', Mr. Speaker shall put the question thereon forthwith; or

(b) on the conclusion of the business Mr. Speaker shall adjourn the House without putting any question; or

(c) if the business has not been concluded before two o'clock, Mr. Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings at that hour and the debate or further consideration of the bill shall stand adjourned, or, if the House be in committee, the chairman shall leave the chair and report progress and ask leave to sit again, and Mr. Speaker shall thereafter adjourn the House without putting any question.

Made: 12 November 1968
Amended: 08 March 1971(+3), 30 March 1983, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994
Repealed: 02 November 1995

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 ten o'clock, and if under discussion when the business is postponed under the provisions of any standing order may be resumed, though opposed, after the interruption of business:-

(a) proceedings on a bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution or any Consolidated Fund Bill or Appropriation Bill;

(b) proceedings in pursuance of any Act of Parliament save in so far as Standing Order No. 4 (Statutory Instruments, &c. (procedure)) otherwise provides, but Mr. Speaker shall put any questions necessary to dispose of such proceedings not later than half-past eleven o'clock or one and a half hours after the commencement of those proceedings, whichever is the later: Provided that, if Mr. Speaker shall be of opinion that, because of the importance of the subject matter of the motion, the time for debate has not been adequate, he shall, instead of putting the question as aforesaid, interrupt the business, and the debate shall stand adjourned till the next sitting (other than a Friday);

(c) 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;

(d) proceedings on a motion authorising expenditure in connection with a bill: Provided that any questions necessary to dispose of the proceedings on such a motion shall be put at a quarter to eleven o'clock or three quarters of an 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-

(a) until any hour;

(b) until a specified hour; or

(c) 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.

If the business interrupted is included in the business specified in the motion or in paragraph (1) of this order, Mr. 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, Mr. 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. 1 (Sittings of the House) but before the resumption of any proceedings postponed under Standing Orders No. 7 (Time for taking private business) or No. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration).

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

(a) 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;

(b) when proceedings on such business have been postponed under the provisions of Standing Order No. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration), 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. 9; and

(c) 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 ten o'clock, the remaining business of the sitting shall be dealt with according to the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) applicable to business taken after ten o'clock.

Made: 25 October 1960
Amended: 01 August 1963(+26), 14 December 1966, 24 October 1967, 12 December 1967, 14 December 1967, 21 October 1969, 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 03 November 1975, 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 19 July 1982, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 24 October 1990, 18 July 1991, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 07 June 2004, 26 January 2005, 28 March 2007, 12 November 2008, 14 December 2011, 11 July 2012

Except in such cases as the House may otherwise order:-

No proceedings on a motion to which this order applies shall be entered upon at or after half-past eleven o'clock.

If such a motion is under consideration at half-past eleven o'clock, Mr. 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-

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

(b) 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 later than eleven o'clock, 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.

The motions to which this order applies are-

(a) 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,

(b) any motion that, or for an humble address to Her Majesty praying that, any other document which may be subject to proceedings in the House in pursuance of a statute be annulled, or cease to be in force, or be not made.

Made: 06 November 1957
Amended: 01 August 1963(+10), 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 11 July 2012

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 3 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to four o'clock, a quarter to five o'clock and half-past five o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 4 (Statutory instruments &c. (procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to half-past five o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

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

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 08 April 1902(+23), 01 December 1902, 03 April 1906, 21 December 1927, 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 25 October 1960, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 25 June 1979, 17 January 1980, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 04 March 2010, 05 November 2019

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

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

On and after the seventh 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 Mr. 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.

Private Members' notices of motions and private Members' bills shall have precedence, in that order, over government business on ten Fridays in each session to be appointed by the House.

On four days other than Fridays in each session to be appointed by the House private Members' notices of motions shall have precedence until seven o'clock and, if not previously concluded, the proceedings thereon shall lapse at that hour and the House shall then proceed with government business.

Ballots for private Members' notices of motions shall be held after questions on such Wednesdays as may be appointed by the House in respect of motions having precedence on Fridays; and on such days as may be appointed by the House in respect of motions having precedence on days other than Fridays. Notice of a subject to be raised on any motion for which a ballot is held in pursuance of this paragraph may be given at the Table or in the Table Office not less than nine days before the day on which the notice of motion is to have precedence.

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. 13 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business) or for presenting a bill under Standing Order No. 37 (Presentation and first reading).

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+22), 01 August 1963, 14 November 1967, 24 October 1968, 08 March 1971, 19 July 1982, 30 March 1983, 23 May 1985, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 11 July 1994, 12 July 1994, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 01 November 2006, 28 March 2007, 12 November 2008, 15 June 2010, 16 July 2012, 24 February 2015

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the time for private business shall end not later than a quarter to three o'clock 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, Tuesday, Wednesday or 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 days allotted to the business of supply and other days on which government business has precedence.

On any day specified under paragraph (5) of this order at seven o'clock or as soon thereafter as any motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) 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. 1 (Sittings of the House) although opposed.

Made: 25 October 1960
Amended: 01 August 1963(+10), 14 December 1967, 08 March 1971, 19 July 1982, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 12 November 2008, 11 July 2012

Notices of questions shall be given by Members in writing to a Clerk at the Table or to the Table Office.

Questions shall be taken on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, after private business has been disposed of, and not later than a quarter to three o'clock.

No questions shall be taken after half-past three o'clock, except questions which have not been answered in consequence of the absence of the Minister to whom they are addressed, and questions which have not appeared on the paper, but which are in Mr. Speaker's opinion of an urgent character, and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business.

A Member who desires an oral answer to his question shall distinguish it by an asterisk, but subject to paragraph (5) of this order notice of any such question must appear at latest on the notice paper circulated two days (excluding Sunday) before that on which an answer is desired: Provided that notice of questions for oral answer on a Monday must be given not later than ten o'clock on the preceding Thursday evening.

Questions received at the Table Office before half-past two o'clock on a Monday or Tuesday on which the House is sitting may, if so desired by the Member, be put down for oral answer on the following Wednesday or Thursday respectively: Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to questions received on the first day of a session nor to questions received on the day on which the House first meets pursuant to Standing Order No. 122 (Earlier meeting of House in certain circumstances).

Notice of a question shall not be given for oral answer on a day later than ten sitting days after the date of notice.

If any Member does not distinguish his question by an asterisk, or if he is not present to ask it, or if it is not reached by half-past three o'clock, the Minister to whom it is addressed shall cause an answer to be printed in the Official Report of the Parliamentary Debates, unless the Member has before half-past three o'clock signified his desire to postpone the question.

Whenever the House stands adjourned to a day other than the next day (not being a Saturday or Sunday)-

(a) if the day to which the House stands adjourned is a Monday, notices of questions for oral answer on that Monday shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Thursday; and notices of questions for oral answer on the Tuesday following shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Friday;

(b) if the day to which the House stands adjourned is a Tuesday, notices of questions for oral answer on that Tuesday or the Wednesday following shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Friday;

(c) if the day to which the House stands adjourned is a Wednesday, notices of questions for oral answer on that Wednesday shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Friday; and notices of questions for oral answer on the Thursday following shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Monday;

(d) if the day to which the House stands adjourned is a Thursday, notices of questions for oral answer on that Thursday shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Monday; and

(e) if the day to which the House stands adjourned is a Friday, notices of questions for oral answer on the following Monday shall not be received later than half-past four o'clock on the preceding Thursday:

Provided that this paragraph shall not affect the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this Standing Order if the House should sit on any day on which they are applicable.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 29 April 1902(+25), 01 December 1902, 03 April 1906, 28 September 1915, 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 02 November 1960, 01 August 1963, 27 October 1965, 08 March 1971, 07 April 1971, 08 August 1972, 18 December 1972, 09 April 1974, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 12 November 1986, 24 October 1990, 04 November 1993, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 23 January 2003, 28 March 2007

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday a Member rising in his place at the commencement of public business may propose to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration. If Mr. Speaker is satisfied that the matter is proper to be so discussed, the Member shall either obtain the leave of the House, or, if such leave be refused, the assent of not less than forty Members who shall thereupon rise in their places to support the motion, or, if fewer than forty Members and not less 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 motion shall stand over until the commencement of public business on the following day (or, on Thursdays, until the commencement of public business on the following Monday) when proceedings upon it shall be interrupted after three hours, or, if Mr. Speaker directs that the urgency of the matter so requires, until seven o'clock on the same day.

A Member intending to propose to move the adjournment of the House under the provisions of this order shall give notice to Mr. Speaker by twelve o'clock, 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. Speaker shall have regard to the probability of the matter being brought before the House in time by other means.

Mr. 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.

Debate on motions made under this order may include reference to any matter that would be in order on a motion to take note of the subject under discussion, and a motion may be made under this order notwithstanding the fact that a motion for the adjournment is already before the House or is proposed to be made.

Any proceeding which has been postponed at seven o'clock under this order shall not, save as is provided in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 3 (Exempted business), be interrupted at ten o'clock and may be resumed and proceeded with at or after that hour for a period of time equal to the duration of the proceedings upon a motion under this order.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 07 March 1888(+25), 29 April 1902, 01 December 1902, 03 April 1906, 28 July 1909, 21 December 1927, 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 29 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 03 November 1954, 01 August 1963, 14 November 1967, 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 12 November 2008, 11 July 2012

In order to facilitate the business of select or of standing committees a motion may, after two days' notice, be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business, in either of the following forms:-

(a) ' That this House do now adjourn ' (in which case, if the question thereon be not previously agreed to, Mr. Speaker shall put the question half an hour after it has been proposed), or

(b) ' That this House do now adjourn till seven o'clock this day ' (in which case the question thereon shall be put forthwith):

Provided that if, on a day on which notice of a motion in the terms of paragraph (a) of this order stands on the paper, leave has been given to move the adjournment of the House at seven o'clock for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, or opposed private business has been set down by direction of the Chairman of Ways and Means, the motion shall be made in the terms and subject to the procedure prescribed by paragraph (b) of this order.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+6), 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 16 November 1971, 30 October 1980, 24 November 1994
Repealed: 20 March 1997

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

Made: 05 May 1914
Amended: 24 November 1994

No motion or amendment shall require to be seconded before the question thereon is proposed from the chair.

Made: 08 February 1960
Repealed: 20 March 1997

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. Mr. 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-

(a) 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;

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

(c) 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;

(d) 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.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 02 May 1902(+14), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 February 1960, 01 August 1963, 23 November 1970, 08 March 1971, 31 October 1979, 30 October 1980, 23 May 1985, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 15 November 2001

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

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+5), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971, 24 November 1994

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 motions in such order as they may think fit.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+10), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 03 November 1954, 14 December 1967, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 08 November 1991

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, Mr. 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.

Made: 10 February 1960
Amended: 24 November 1994(+1), 22 March 2001

The business of supply shall be appointed as an order of the day at the commencement of every session, so soon as an address has been agreed to in answer to Her Majesty's speech, and so from day to day during the continuance of the session.

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

Made: 14 December 1966
Amended: 24 October 1967(+1), 14 December 1967
Repealed: 19 July 1982

(a) Twenty-nine days, being days before the 5th of August, shall be allotted to the business of supply in each session.

(b) For the purposes of this order two Friday sittings shall be deemed equivalent to a single sitting on any other day.

(c) Not more than two days so allotted may be taken in the form of four half days on any day other than a Friday; but not more than one such half day may be taken in two consecutive calendar months.

(d) If for the purpose of calculating the last allotted day referred to in paragraph (8) of this order the total number of half days already taken includes an odd half day, that odd half day shall be deemed the equivalent of one day.

On a day allotted to the business of supply:-

(a) supply shall stand as the first order;

(b) business other than the business of supply may be taken before ten o'clock, only if the business of supply has first been disposed of; and

(c) no business of supply shall be taken after ten o'clock (except as provided for in paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) of this order or in paragraph (7) of Standing Order No. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration)), unless the House otherwise order on the motion of a Minister of the Crown, made after notice after the interruption of business in accordance with the provision of Standing Order No. 3 (Exempted business).

On a half day allotted to the business of supply:-

(a) supply shall stand as the first order;

(b) business other than the business of supply may be taken before seven o'clock only if the business of supply has first been disposed of; and

(c) the business of supply shall not be taken after seven o'clock.

On any day on which Mr. Speaker is directed under this order to put forthwith any question, the consideration of the business of supply shall not be anticipated by a motion for the adjournment of the House, and no dilatory motion shall be moved on proceedings on the business of supply and the business shall not be interrupted under any standing order.

For the purposes of this order the business of supply shall consist of proceedings on:-

(a) main estimates, whether for the coming or the current year;

(b) votes on account;

(c) supplementary or additional estimates for the current financial year;

(d) any excess vote;

(e) any substantive motions;

(f) motions for the adjournment of the House; and

(g) consideration of reports from the Committee of Public Accounts and the Expenditure Committee;

but such business of supply shall not include any vote of credit or votes for supplementary or additional estimates for war expenditure.

On a day not earlier than the sixth allotted day, being a day not later than the 6th day of February, any of the following total amounts which are still outstanding may be put down for consideration:

(a) any vote on account for civil departments for the coming financial year that shall have been put down for consideration on at least one previous allotted day;

(b) all supplementary estimates for civil departments for the current financial year that shall have been presented at least seven clear days previously; and

(c) all supplementary estimates for defence services for the current financial year that shall have been presented at least seven clear days previously;

and Mr. Speaker shall put the questions set out in paragraph (11) of this order.

On a day not earlier than the tenth allotted day, being a day before the 25th day of March, any of the following numbers or total amounts which are still outstanding may be put down for consideration:

(a) any vote relating to numbers for defence services for the coming financial year that shall have been put down for consideration on at least one previous allotted day;

(b) any vote on account for defence services for the coming financial year that shall have been put down for consideration on at least one previous allotted day;

(c) all supplementary estimates for civil departments for the current financial year that shall have been presented at least seven clear days previously;

(d) all supplementary estimates for defence services for the current financial year that shall have been presented at least seven clear days previously;

(e) any excess votes for civil departments, provided that the Committee of Public Accounts shall have reported that they see no objection to the sums necessary being provided by excess vote; and

(f) any excess votes for defence services, provided that the Committee of Public Accounts shall have reported that they see no objection to the sums necessary being provided by excess vote;

and Mr. Speaker shall put the questions set out in paragraph (11) of this order.

On the last of the allotted days, any of the following total amounts which are still outstanding may be put down for consideration:

(a) each class of the civil estimates; and

(b) each vote in the estimate for the defence services;

and Mr. Speaker shall put the questions set out in paragraph (11) of this order.

At least two days' notice shall be given of the votes which are to be put down for consideration under paragraphs (6), (7) or (8) of this order.

Notice of objection may be given in respect of any number or total amount referred to in paragraphs (6), (7) or (8) of this order.

On any day to which the provisions of paragraphs (6), (7) or (8) of this order apply Mr. Speaker shall at ten o'clock put the following questions:-

(a) on any vote relating to numbers for defence services for the coming financial year that shall have been put down for consideration on at least one previous allotted day, the question that that number be maintained for that service;

(b) on each total amount in respect of which notice of objection has been given, the question that that total amount be granted for the purposes defined in such vote or estimate; and

(c) that the total amount outstanding in respect of each financial year be granted out of the Consolidated Fund for the purposes defined in the related votes;

Made: 01 December 1902
Amended: 03 April 1906(+35), 28 July 1909, 13 February 1918, 14 November 1933, 15 November 1934, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 February 1960, 25 October 1960, 02 November 1960, 01 August 1963, 14 December 1966, 14 November 1967, 21 October 1969, 21 January 1971, 08 March 1971, 07 April 1971, 16 November 1971, 20 November 1973, 31 October 1979, 30 October 1980, 19 July 1982, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 14 May 2002, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 12 November 2008, 14 December 2011, 11 July 2012, 04 July 2017

Whenever an order of the day is read for the House to resolve itself into a committee other than a committee on a bill, Mr. Speaker shall leave the chair without putting any question, and the House shall thereupon resolve itself into such committee.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 07 March 1888(+10), 17 February 1902, 01 December 1902, 13 February 1918, 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 14 December 1966, 24 November 1994
Repealed: 20 March 1997

When the chairman 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.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 01 December 1902(+3), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 04 March 2010

When the chairman of a committee of the whole House has been directed to report progress, or has left the chair to report progress in pursuance of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) he shall, if the committee have come to any resolution, so acquaint the House before reporting progress.

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+2), 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986
Repealed: 20 March 1997

Mr. Speaker or the chairman, 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.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 07 March 1888(+8), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 30 March 1983, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994, 29 October 2002, 04 March 2010

Mr. Speaker or the chairman 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, Mr. Speaker or the chairman 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. 24 (Order in debate).

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 01 December 1902(+13), 14 November 1933, 09 March 1945, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 23 May 1985, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 04 March 2010

Whenever a Member shall have been named by Mr. Speaker, or by the chairman, 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, Mr. 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 chairman shall forthwith suspend the proceedings of the committee and report the circumstance to the House; and Mr. 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 this order, his suspension on the first occasion shall continue until the fifth day, and on the second occasion until the twentieth day, on which the House shall sit after 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 Mr. Speaker, when severally summoned under Mr. Speaker's orders by the Serjeant at Arms to obey such direction, Mr. 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.

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 his suspension.

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

Made: 28 February 1880
Amended: 22 November 1882(+20), 07 March 1888, 07 March 1901, 11 February 1902, 13 February 1902, 01 December 1902, 30 March 1926, 14 November 1933, 09 March 1945, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 30 March 1983, 26 May 1989, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994, 04 June 1998, 22 March 2001, 04 March 2010

Members who are ordered to withdraw under Standing Order No. 23 (Disorderly conduct) or who are suspended from the service of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Order in debate) shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House, subject, however, in the case of such suspended Members, to the provisions of paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 24 (Order in debate).

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+5), 01 August 1963, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 20 March 1997, 04 June 1998

In the case of grave disorder arising in the House Mr. 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.

Made: 01 December 1902
Amended: 14 November 1933(+3), 28 July 1948, 24 November 1994, 22 March 2001

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 chairman do report progress, or do leave the chair, the debate thereupon shall be confined to the matter of such motion; and no Member, having moved any such motion, shall be entitled to move any similar motion during the same debate.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 01 December 1902(+6), 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 12 November 1986, 04 March 2010

If Mr. Speaker, or the chairman, 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 chairman do report progress or do leave the chair.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 07 March 1888(+10), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 26 May 1989, 24 November 1994, 22 March 2001, 04 March 2010

The House shall not be counted at any time.

If at any time it shall appear, on a division, that forty Members are not present, the business under consideration shall stand over until the next sitting of the House and the next business shall be taken.

Made: 16 November 1971
Amended: 30 March 1983

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.

When a clause or schedule is under consideration, a motion may be made that the question, that certain words of the clause or schedule defined in the motion stand part of the clause or schedule or ' 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', or ' That the clause (or schedule) be added to the bill ', be now put and if the assent of the Chair, as aforesaid, be not withheld, the question on that motion shall be put forthwith.

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

Made: 18 March 1887
Amended: 07 March 1888(+14), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1909, 20 February 1919, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 14 December 1966, 14 November 1967, 08 March 1971, 16 November 1971, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 26 May 1989

If a division be held upon a question for the closure of debate under Standing Order No. 30 (Closure of debate) that question shall not be decided in the affirmative unless it appears by the numbers declared from the chair, that not less than one hundred Members voted in the majority in support of the motion.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 01 December 1902(+11), 28 July 1909, 20 February 1919, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 12 November 1986, 20 March 1997

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'.

Made: 14 November 1967
Amended: 08 March 1971(+11), 31 October 1979, 30 October 1980, 19 July 1982, 30 March 1983, 23 May 1985, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 24 November 1994, 07 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 05 July 2001

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

Mr. 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 and motions to re-commit bills shall be treated as if they were amendments under paragraph (1) of this order.

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

Made: 20 February 1919
Amended: 14 November 1933(+10), 06 December 1951, 03 November 1954, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 16 November 1971, 30 October 1980, 19 July 1982, 30 March 1983, 24 November 1994, 22 March 2001

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

After the lapse of 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 six minutes from this direction he shall direct that the doors giving access to the division lobbies be locked.

Made: 12 December 1906
Amended: 14 November 1933(+5), 28 July 1948, 12 July 1994, 24 November 1994, 22 March 2001, 04 March 2010

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

A Member is not obliged to vote.

Made: 12 December 1906
Amended: 06 December 1951

Mr. Speaker or the chairman 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.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 01 December 1902(+9), 28 July 1909, 19 February 1919, 21 June 1922, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 24 November 1994, 11 March 1996, 22 March 2001, 04 March 2010

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.

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+1), 09 January 2003

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.

Made: 09 March 1945
Amended: 28 July 1948(+3), 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971

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, Mr. 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 (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.

Made: 20 February 1919
Amended: 28 July 1948(+7), 14 November 1967, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 23 May 1985, 26 May 1989, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994

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

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, 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 standing 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, Mr. 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, Mr. Speaker shall forthwith declare that the bill stands committed to a standing committee.

Made: 16 April 1907
Amended: 28 July 1909(+15), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 01 August 1963, 06 December 1967, 14 December 1967, 08 March 1971, 27 February 1986, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 14 May 2002, 01 November 2006, 22 October 2015, 04 July 2017, 13 July 2021

Whenever the House is adjourned for more than one day, notices of amendments to bills, new clauses or new schedules 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 or Sunday) may be accepted as if the House were sitting.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+8), 20 November 1950, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 22 October 2015, 13 July 2021

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.

Made: 19 July 1854
Amended: 01 December 1902(+4), 21 June 1922, 14 November 1933, 08 March 1971, 04 April 1974

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

(a) 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 they may see fit and allot to each part so many days or portions of a day so allotted as they may consider appropriate; and

(b) shall report their 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 their 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.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+12), 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 16 November 1971, 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 26 May 1989, 24 November 1994, 05 July 2001, 04 March 2010, 19 July 2018

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

Made: 16 November 1971
Amended: 30 March 1983(+2), 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994

Whenever an order of the day is read for the House to resolve itself into a committee on a bill, Mr. 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.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+3), 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 14 May 2002

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

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 01 December 1902(+5), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 01 August 1963, 24 February 1976, 20 March 1997

In a committee on a bill no questions shall be put for inserting words already printed in italics.

Made: 19 July 1854
Amended: 01 December 1902(+3), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 08 March 1971
Repealed: 20 March 1997

If, during the consideration of a bill in a committee of the whole House, the chairman 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.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+5), 01 August 1963, 23 May 1985, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 04 March 2010

When a Member has brought up a clause in committee on a bill or on consideration of a bill on report, it shall be read a first time without any question being put, but no clause shall be offered on consideration of a bill on report without notice.

Made: 19 July 1854
Amended: 21 July 1856(+6), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 20 March 1997

At the close of the proceedings of a committee of the whole House on a bill, the chairman 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.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 01 December 1902(+6), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 26 May 1989, 08 November 1991, 25 October 1999, 04 March 2010

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 shall desire to defer its consideration, or a motion shall be made to re-commit the bill in whole or in part.

Made: 27 November 1882
Amended: 09 August 1884(+6), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 04 April 1974, 30 March 1983

Save as provided in Standing Order No. 73 (Consideration on report of certain bills by a standing committee) every bill committed to and reported from a standing committee, whether amended or not, shall be considered on report by the House, and the provisions of Standing Order No. 51 (Consideration of bill as amended in committee of whole House) shall apply to such consideration.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 02 April 1901(+11), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 20 March 1997, 01 November 2006, 22 October 2015, 13 July 2021

If a motion to re-commit a bill as a whole be made, Mr. 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.

Made: 19 February 1919
Amended: 28 July 1948(+4), 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971, 25 June 1979, 24 November 1994

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.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 01 December 1902(+4), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 24 October 1967, 08 March 1971

When a Bill has been committed to a standing 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 in respect of that amendment or clause.

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+4), 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 20 March 1997, 01 November 2006

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

The question for the third reading of a public bill shall be put forthwith unless notice has been given by not less than six Members of an amendment to the question or of a motion that the question be not put forthwith.

Made: 21 July 1856
Amended: 01 December 1902(+5), 14 November 1967, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 14 December 2011

Lords amendments to public bills shall be appointed to be considered on a future day, unless the House shall order them to be considered forthwith.

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

Made: 19 July 1854
Amended: 01 December 1902(+9), 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 12 December 1967, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 22 March 2001, 09 January 2003

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 authorized, imposed, appropriated, regulated, varied, or extinguished, this House will not insist on its ancient and undoubted privileges in the following cases: -

(1) When the object of such pecuniary penalty or forfeiture is to secure the execution of the act, or the punishment or prevention of offences.

(2) 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.

(3) When such bill shall be a private bill for a local or personal act.

Made: 24 July 1849
Amended: 07 March 1888(+9), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 09 March 1945, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971, 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986

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

Made: 21 June 1811
Amended: 24 July 1849(+3), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1948, 30 March 1983

As many standing committees shall be appointed as may be necessary for the consideration of bills or other business committed or referred to a standing committee.

Subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 69 (Scottish Standing Committees), the bills committed to a standing committee shall be distributed among the committees by Mr. Speaker.

In all but one of the standing committees government bills shall have precedence.

Government bills allocated to a particular standing committee shall be considered in whatever order Her Majesty's Ministers may decide.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 01 May 1902(+30), 01 December 1902, 09 April 1906, 16 April 1907, 28 July 1909, 19 February 1919, 23 February 1926, 14 November 1933, 15 November 1934, 04 November 1947, 28 April 1948, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 03 November 1954, 18 December 1957, 08 February 1960, 30 May 1960, 01 August 1963, 14 December 1966, 24 October 1968, 08 March 1971, 20 November 1973, 03 November 1975, 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 October 1990, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997
Repealed: 01 November 2006

The chairman or chairmen of each standing committee shall be appointed by Mr. Speaker from the Chairmen's Panel.

Mr. Speaker may change the chairmen so appointed from time to time.

When more than one chairman is appointed to a standing committee any of the chairmen so appointed may exercise the powers conferred by paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 65 (Procedure in standing committees).

The Chairmen's Panel, of whom three shall be a quorum, shall have power to consider matters of procedure relating to standing committees and to report their opinion thereupon to the House from time to time.

Any member of a standing committee may, at the request of the chairman of the committee, act as chairman for not more than a quarter of an hour: Provided that such member shall not exercise the powers conferred on the chairman of a standing committee by paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 65 (Procedure in standing committees).

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+10), 01 August 1963, 14 December 1967, 08 March 1971, 24 February 1976, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 11 March 1996, 01 November 2006, 04 March 2010

Save in the case of-

(a) the Scottish Grand Committee,

(b) the Scottish Standing Committees,

(c) the Welsh Grand Committee, and

(d) a standing committee for the consideration of a bill on report,

the Committee of Selection shall nominate not less than sixteen nor more than fifty Members to serve on each standing committee for the consideration of each bill committed, allocated or 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 relating exclusively to Wales and Monmouthshire, the committee shall be so constituted as to include all Members sitting for constituencies in Wales and Monmouthshire.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 24 November 1971(+14), 20 November 1973, 04 April 1974, 03 November 1975, 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 October 1990, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 01 November 2006, 12 November 2008, 22 October 2015, 13 July 2021

Mr. Attorney General, the Lord Advocate, Mr. Solicitor General, and Mr. Solicitor General for Scotland, being Members of this House, or any of them, though not members of a standing 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.

In a standing committee which is to consider a bill brought in upon a Ways and Means resolution any Minister of the Crown, being a Member of this House, though not a member of the standing 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.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+15), 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 06 December 1967, 24 February 1976, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 October 1990, 19 December 1995, 11 March 1996, 19 March 1997, 20 March 1997, 25 October 1999, 27 June 2006, 01 November 2006, 12 November 2008

A standing committee to whom a bill or other business has been committed shall meet to consider such business on the day and at the hour named by the Member appointed chairman of the committee in respect of that business. If the consideration of the business is not completed at that sitting the committee shall meet further to consider the business on such days of the week (being days on which the House sits) as may be appointed by the committee at half-past ten o'clock, unless the committee otherwise determine:

Provided that no standing committee shall sit between the hours of one o'clock and half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, except as hereinafter provided.

If a standing committee is not previously adjourned, the chairman shall adjourn the committee without putting any question at one o'clock: Provided that-

(i) if, in the opinion of the chairman, 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 until a quarter past one o'clock;

(ii) if proceedings under Standing Order No. 30 (Closure of debate) be in progress at the time when the Chairman 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.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+14), 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 October 1990, 08 November 1991, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 26 January 2005, 01 November 2006, 04 March 2010, 11 July 2012

The quorum of a standing committee shall be seventeen or one third of the number of its members excluding the chairman, whichever is the less; and in calculating the quorum fractions shall be counted as one.

Strangers shall be admitted to a standing committee unless the committee otherwise order.

(a) Any notice of an amendment to a bill which has been committed or referred to a standing committee shall stand referred to the committee, and the chairman shall have the like powers as are given to Mr. Speaker and the Chairman of Ways and Means respectively by Standing Order No. 33 (Selection of amendments).

(b) Standing Order No. 30 (Closure of debate) and Standing Order No. 31 (Majority for closure) shall apply to standing committees, except that the number necessary to render the majority effective for the closure shall be the number prescribed as the quorum by paragraph (1) of this order.

(c) The chairman of a standing committee shall have the like powers as the Chairman of Ways and Means has under the following standing orders:- No. 22 (Irrelevance or repetition) No. 28 (Dilatory motion in abuse of rules of House) No. 48 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part).

(d) The following standing orders shall apply to standing committees:- No. 79 (Entry on minutes of proceedings of select committees) No. 80 (Minutes of proceedings to be laid upon the Table) No. 83 (Quorum of select committee).

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

All standing committees shall have leave to print and circulate with the Votes the minutes of their proceedings and clauses of bills as amended by them.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 04 April 1974(+21), 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 16 June 1981, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 24 October 1990, 25 October 1990, 22 January 1991, 08 November 1991, 11 July 1994, 24 November 1994, 11 March 1996, 20 March 1997, 17 November 1998, 26 October 2004, 01 November 2006, 12 November 2008, 25 November 2008, 04 March 2010

A motion, of which not less than 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, at least twenty Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, Mr. 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 second reading committee shall be a standing committee.

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

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.

Made: 14 November 1967
Amended: 21 October 1969(+8), 08 March 1971, 31 October 1979, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 01 November 2006

If, after any public bill has been printed, whether introduced in this House or brought from the House of Lords, Mr. Speaker is of opinion that its provisions relate exclusively to Scotland, he shall give a certificate to that effect: Provided that a certificate shall not be withheld by reason only that a provision of that bill amends the First Schedule to the House of Commons Disqualification Act, 1957.

On the order for the second reading of any such bill being read, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown, ' That the bill be referred to the Scottish Grand Committee', and the question thereupon shall be put forthwith; and if, on that question being put, not less than ten Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, Mr. Speaker shall declare that the noes have it.

A bill so referred to the Scottish Grand Committee shall be considered in relation to the principle of the bill, and shall be reported as having been so considered to the House and shall be ordered to be read a second time upon a future day.

When the order for the second reading of any such bill has been read, a motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown, 'That the bill be committed to a Scottish Standing Committee', and the question thereupon shall be put forthwith: Provided that this paragraph shall not apply in the case of any bill to the second reading of which notice of an amendment has been given by not less than six Members.

If such a motion shall have been agreed to, the Bill shall be deemed to have been read a second time, and shall be committed to a Scottish Standing Committee.

Proceedings in pursuance of paragraphs (2) and (4) of this order, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business.

Made: 28 April 1948
Amended: 28 July 1948(+17), 06 December 1951, 18 December 1957, 25 October 1960, 02 November 1960, 01 August 1963, 24 October 1968, 08 March 1971, 08 August 1972, 20 November 1975, 30 March 1983, 27 February 1986, 11 July 1994, 19 December 1995, 20 March 1997, 04 June 1998, 01 November 2006, 04 March 2010

There shall be a standing committee to be called the Scottish Grand Committee which shall consider-

(a) bills referred to them for consideration in relation to their principle under paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 67 (Public bills relating exclusively to Scotland);

(b) bills referred to them under Standing Order No. 73 (Consideration on report of certain bills by a standing committee);

(c) Scottish estimates referred to them under Standing Order No. 70 (Scottish estimates); and

(d) specified matters referred to them under Standing Order No. 71 (Matters relating exclusively to Scotland).

The Scottish Grand Committee shall consist of all the Members representing Scottish constituencies, together with not less than ten nor more than fifteen other members to be nominated in respect of any bill or other business by the Committee of Selection, who shall have regard in such nomination to the approximation of the balance of parties in the committee to that in the whole House, and shall have power from time to time to discharge the members so nominated by them, and to appoint others in substitution for those discharged.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 08 August 1972(+9), 16 June 1981, 30 March 1983, 11 November 1983, 12 November 1986, 11 July 1994, 02 November 1995, 19 December 1995, 20 March 1997, 01 November 2006

For the consideration of bills certified by Mr. Speaker as relating exclusively to Scotland and committed to a standing committee or bills committed to a Scottish Standing Committee not more than two standing committees may be appointed.

The first Scottish Standing Committee shall consist of thirty members representing Scottish constituencies, who shall be nominated by the Committee of Selection in respect of each such bill and to whom the Committee of Selection shall have power to add not more than twenty members.

The second Scottish Standing Committee shall consist of not less than sixteen nor more than fifty members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, of whom not less than sixteen members shall represent Scottish constituencies.

In nominating members the Committee of Selection shall have regard to their qualifications and the composition of the House.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 24 November 1971(+2), 30 March 1983, 24 November 1994
Repealed: 01 November 2006

A motion may be made by a Minister of the Crown at the commencement of public business to the effect that the estimates or any part of the estimates for which the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible be referred to the Scottish Grand Committee for consideration on not more than six days in any session, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith; and if such motion be agreed to, the Committee shall consider the estimates referred to them and shall from time to time report only that they have considered the said estimates or any of them.

Made: 28 April 1948
Amended: 28 July 1948(+7), 06 December 1951, 18 December 1957, 14 December 1966, 14 December 1967, 08 March 1971, 16 June 1981, 30 March 1983
Repealed: 11 July 1994

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 Scotland be referred to the Scottish Grand Committee for their consideration, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith; and if, on that question being put, not less than ten Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, Mr. Speaker shall declare that the noes have it.

If such a motion be agreed to, the Scottish Grand Committee shall consider the matter or matters to them referred on not more than two days in a session, and shall report only that they have considered the said matter or matters.

Made: 18 December 1957
Amended: 08 March 1971(+2), 16 June 1981, 30 March 1983
Repealed: 11 July 1994

There shall be a standing committee to be called the Welsh Grand Committee, which shall consider such specified matters relating exclusively to Wales and Monmouthshire as may be referred to them and shall consist of all Members sitting for constituencies in Wales and Monmouthshire, together with not more than Five other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, who shall have power from time to time to discharge the Members so nominated by them and to appoint others in substitution for those discharged.

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 and Monmouthshire be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for their consideration, and the question thereon shall be put forthwith.

If such a motion be agreed to, the Committee shall consider the matter or matters to them referred and shall report only that they have considered the said matter or matters.

Made: 24 October 1968
Amended: 08 March 1971(+10), 04 April 1974, 15 November 1974, 24 February 1976, 25 June 1979, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 11 March 1996, 20 March 1997, 01 November 2006

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 standing committee 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, at least twenty Members rise in their places and signify their objection thereto, Mr. Speaker shall declare that the noes have it.

A standing committee to consider bills on report shall consist of not less than twenty nor more than eighty members, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve on the committee during 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 and Monmouthshire, the committee shall be so constituted as to include all Members sitting for constituencies in Wales and Monmouthshire.

Any committee to whom a bill is referred under this order shall report to the House that they have considered the bill and have made amendments or have 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.

Made: 14 November 1967
Amended: 08 March 1971(+7), 08 August 1972, 27 January 1976, 25 June 1979, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 24 November 1994, 01 November 2006

Whenever an order has been made by the House allocating time to the proceedings of a standing committee on any bill which has been allocated or committed to them, the order shall stand referred to that committee, and shall be considered by a sub-committee thereof to be called the business sub-committee.

A business sub-committee shall consist of the chairman or one of the chairmen of the committee (who shall be chairman of the sub-committee) and seven members of the committee, to be nominated by Mr. Speaker as soon as may be after such an order has been made; the quorum of the sub-committee shall be four, of whom the chairman so nominated shall be one; and the sub-committee shall have power to report from time to time to the committee.

A sub-committee shall report to the committee their resolutions upon-

(a) the number of sittings to be allotted to the consideration of the bill;

(b) the allocation of the proceedings to each sitting; and

(c) the time at which any proceedings, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion.

All such resolutions shall be reported to the committee at the commencement of the next sitting of the committee and shall be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of the committee.

Whenever a sub-committee have made a report to the committee, the Member in charge of the bill may forthwith move ' That this committee do agree with the business sub-committee in their resolution (or resolutions) '; and the question on such a motion shall be put forthwith.

If the question is agreed to, the resolution (or resolutions) shall have effect as though included in the order aforesaid, but if it is negatived the resolution (or resolutions) shall stand re-committed to the business sub-committee.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+8), 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 26 May 1989, 24 November 1994, 01 November 2006, 04 March 2010

No select committee shall, without leave of the House, consist of more than fifteen members, and such leave shall not be moved for without notice.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+4), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 24 February 1976
Repealed: 30 March 1983

Any Member intending to propose that certain Members be members of a select committee shall give notice of the names of the Members whom he intends to propose to be members of the committee, and shall endeavour to ascertain previously whether each such Member will give his attendance on the committee.

The provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall apply in the case of Members proposed to be added or substituted.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+15), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 24 February 1976, 25 June 1979, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 26 May 1989, 18 July 1991, 20 March 1997, 07 June 2004, 20 May 2009, 04 March 2010, 12 March 2012, 08 May 2014

Lists shall be affixed in some conspicuous place in the committee office and in the lobby of the House of all Members serving on each select committee.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 20 July 1855(+5), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 23 May 1985, 12 November 1986

No document received by the clerk of a select committee shall be withdrawn or altered without the knowledge and approval of the committee.

Made: 15 July 1935
Amended: 28 July 1948

The names of the members present at each sitting of a select committee and, if a division takes place, the name of the proposer of the motion or amendment, the question put, and the respective votes thereupon of the members present shall be entered on the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 13 July 1869(+7), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 August 1972, 30 October 1980, 25 November 2008

The minutes of the proceedings of a select committee shall be laid on the Table of the House.

Made: 28 July 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+3), 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 25 November 2008

The names of members present each day at the sitting of a select committee shall be entered on the minutes of evidence, if any.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 19 July 1854(+7), 07 March 1888, 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 25 November 2008

To every question asked of a witness under examination in the proceedings of a select committee there shall be prefixed in the minutes of the evidence the name of the member asking such question.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+6), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1948, 10 February 1975, 30 March 1983, 12 May 2003, 25 November 2008

A select committee may not proceed to business unless a quorum be present; and if at any time during the sitting of a select committee a quorum shall not be present, the clerk of the committee shall bring this fact to the notice of the chairman, who shall thereupon suspend the proceedings of the committee until a quorum be present, or adjourn the committee to some future day.

In determining whether the requisite number of members is present to form the quorum, the chairman shall be counted.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 01 December 1902(+6), 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 08 March 1971, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983
Merged: 05 July 2001

Except as otherwise ordered by this House,

(1) a select committee shall have power, if they so order, to admit strangers during the examination of witnesses; and

(2) a sub-committee appointed by such a select committee shall have a like power except as that committee otherwise order.

Made: 16 July 1971
Amended: 30 October 1980(+3), 30 March 1983, 26 October 2004, 25 November 2008

Every select committee having power to send for persons, papers, and records shall have leave to report to the House their opinion and observations upon any matters referred to them for their consideration, together with the minutes of the evidence taken before them, and also to make a special report of any matters which they may think fit to bring to the notice of the House.

Made: 09 August 1875
Amended: 01 December 1902(+7), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 01 August 1963, 14 December 1967, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 25 November 2008

All select committees shall have power to authorise the Clerk of this House to supply copies of their reports to officers of government departments, to such witnesses who have given evidence to committees or to their sub-committees as those committees consider appropriate, to lobby journalists, and to such other press representatives as the committee think fit, after those reports have been laid upon the Table but not more than forty-eight hours before the intended time of publication of such reports.

Made: 24 October 1968
Amended: 30 March 1983(+1), 28 March 2007

All select committees having power to send for persons, papers and records shall have power to authorise the publication by the witnesses concerned of memoranda of evidence submitted to them and of the names of persons who have been summoned to appear as witnesses before them; and

Mr. Speaker shall have power to authorise such publication in the case of any such select committee which is no longer in existence.

Made: 16 July 1971
Amended: 30 March 1983(+2), 24 November 1994, 25 November 2008

There shall be a select committee, to be called the Committee of Public Accounts, for the examination of the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure, and of such other accounts laid before Parliament as the committee may think fit, to consist of not more than fifteen members, who shall be nominated at the commencement of every session, and of whom five shall be a quorum. The committee shall have power to send for persons, papers and records, and to report from time to time.

Made: 03 April 1862
Amended: 28 March 1870(+16), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 15 November 1934, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971, 24 February 1976, 02 February 1977, 02 July 1979, 30 March 1983, 18 July 1991, 20 March 1997, 28 October 1997, 17 November 1998, 05 July 2001, 02 December 2010

There shall be a select committee, to be called the Expenditure Committee, to consider any papers on public expenditure presented to this House and such of the estimates as may seem fit to the committee and in particular to consider how, if at all, the policies implied in the figures of expenditure and in the estimates may be carried out more economically, and to examine the form of the papers and of the estimates presented to this House; to consist of forty-nine Members, who shall be nominated at the commencement of every session, and of whom nine shall be a quorum.

The committee shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records, to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, to adjourn from place to place, and to report from time to time:

The committee shall have power to appoint persons with technical knowledge either to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters of complexity within the committee's order of reference.

The committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees and to refer to such sub-committees any of the matters referred to the committee; three shall be the quorum of every such sub-committee.

Every such sub-committee shall have power to send for persons, papers and records, to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, and to adjourn from place to place.

The committee shall have power to report from time to time the minutes of evidence taken before sub-committees.

The committee and any sub-committee appointed by the committee shall have power to admit strangers during the examination of witnesses unless they otherwise order.

Made: 02 November 1960
Amended: 21 January 1971(+1), 08 March 1971
Repealed: 25 June 1979

There shall be a select committee, to consist of twelve members, who shall be nominated at the commencement of every session, to join with the committee appointed by the Lords as the Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills to consider:

(a) consolidation bills, whether public or private;

(b) statute law revision bills;

(c) bills prepared pursuant to the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949, together with any memoranda laid pursuant to that Act and any representations made with respect thereto;

(d) bills to consolidate any enactments with amendments to give effect to recommendations made by one or both of the Law Commissions, together with any report containing such recommendations; and

(e) bills prepared by one or both of the Law Commissions to promote the reform of the statute law by the repeal, in accordance with Law Commission recommendations, of certain enactments which (except in so far as their effect is preserved) are no longer of practical utility, whether or not they make other provision in connection with the repeal of those enactments, together with any Law Commission report on any such bill.

The Committee shall have power to send for persons, papers and records; and to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House.

Made: 16 July 1971
Amended: 24 February 1976(+5), 20 December 1976, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 08 November 1991

All committees, other than committees of the whole House, shall have leave to sit at any time on any day on which the House sits, but may not otherwise sit during any adjournment of the House, without the leave of the House, and such leave shall not be moved for without notice.

Made: 21 July 1856
Amended: 07 March 1888(+4), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 01 August 1963

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.

Made: 21 June 1811
Amended: 22 February 1821(+12), 22 June 1831, 24 July 1849, 25 June 1852, 20 March 1866, 07 March 1888, 01 December 1902, 03 April 1906, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 14 December 1966, 08 March 1971, 30 October 1980

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.

Made: 14 December 1966
Amended: 24 October 1967(+1), 08 March 1971

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.

Made: 01 February 1938
Amended: 28 July 1948(+4), 06 December 1951, 14 December 1966, 24 October 1967, 08 August 1972

This House will not receive any petition for compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown, upon any branch of the revenue, without a certificate from the proper officer or officers annexed to the said petition, stating the debt, what prosecutions have been made for the recovery of such debt, and setting forth how much the petitioner and his security are able to satisfy thereof.

Made: 24 July 1849
Amended: 01 December 1902(+3), 03 April 1906, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951
Repealed: 20 March 1997

On a Motion being made in respect of any Consolidated Fund or Appropriation Bill, 'That the bill be no read the third time', the question shall be put forthwith; and when such a bill has been reported with amendments from a committee of the whole House the question on any motion 'That the bill, as amended, be now taken into consideration' shall be put forthwith.

Made: 20 February 1919
Amended: 14 November 1933(+10), 06 December 1951, 14 December 1966, 08 March 1971, 20 November 1973, 30 October 1980, 19 July 1982, 21 December 1982, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 02 November 1995

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; and proceedings in pursuance of this paragraph, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business.

Made: 24 October 1967
Amended: 22 February 1968(+1), 08 March 1971
Merged: 19 July 1982

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.

Made: 08 November 1948
Amended: 06 December 1951(+2), 03 November 1954, 01 August 1963

In all contracts extending over a period of years, and creating a public charge, actual or prospective, entered into by the government for the conveyance of mails by sea, or for the purpose of telegraphic communications beyond sea, there shall be inserted the condition that the contract shall not be binding until it has been approved of by a resolution of the House. Proceedings in pursuance of this order, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business.

Made: 13 July 1869
Amended: 01 December 1902(+5), 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983
Repealed: 20 March 1997

Every such contract, when executed, shall forthwith, if Parliament be then sitting, or, if Parliament be not then sitting, within fourteen days after it assembles, be laid upon the Table of the House, accompanied by a minute of the Lords of the Treasury, setting forth the grounds on which they have proceeded in authorising it.

Made: 13 July 1869
Amended: 01 December 1902(+2), 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951
Repealed: 20 March 1997

In cases where any such contract requires to be confirmed by Act of Parliament, the bill for that purpose shall not be introduced and dealt with as a private bill, and power to the government to enter into agreements by which obligations at the public charge shall be undertaken shall not be given in any private Act.

Made: 13 July 1869
Amended: 07 March 1888(+3), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1909, 06 December 1951
Repealed: 20 March 1997

Every Member offering to present a petition to the House, not being a petition for a private bill, or relating to a private bill before the House, shall confine himself to a statement of the parties from whom it comes, the number of signatures attached to it, and the material allegations contained in it, and to reading the prayer of such petition.

Made: 14 April 1842
Amended: 07 March 1888(+4), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951

Every such petition not containing matter in breach of the privileges of this House, and which, according to the rules or usual practice of this House, can be received, shall be brought to the Table by the direction of Mr. Speaker, who shall not allow any debate, or any Member to speak upon, or in relation to such petition; but it may be read by the Clerk if required.

Made: 14 April 1842
Amended: 07 March 1888(+15), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 04 April 1974, 24 February 1976, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 21 February 1990, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994, 02 November 1995, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002, 25 October 2007

In the case of such petition complaining of some present personal grievance, for which there may be an urgent necessity for providing an immediate remedy, the matter contained in such petition may be brought into discussion on the presentation thereof.

Made: 14 April 1842
Amended: 01 December 1902(+6), 04 April 1974, 24 February 1976, 30 March 1983, 12 November 1986, 20 March 1997, 29 October 2002

All other such petitions, after they shall have been ordered to lie on the Table, shall stand referred to a committee to be designated the Committee on Public Petitions; but if any such petition relate to any matter or subject with respect to which the Member presenting it has given notice of a motion, and the said petition has not been ordered to be printed by the committee, such Member may, after notice given, move 'That such petition be printed with the Votes'.

Made: 14 April 1842
Amended: 05 August 1853(+6), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971
Repealed: 04 April 1974

Petitions against any resolution or bill imposing a tax or duty for the current service of the year shall be henceforth received, and the usage under which the House has refused to entertain such petitions shall be discontinued.

Made: 14 April 1842
Amended: 07 March 1888(+3), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948

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.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 16 November 1971

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

Whenever the House shall be informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of Ways and Means shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Mr. Speaker in relation to all proceedings of this House, as Deputy Speaker, until Mr. 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.

Whenever the House has been informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence both of Mr. 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 of the First Deputy Chairman also, the Second Deputy Chairman shall perform those duties and exercise that authority.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 16 November 1971(+6), 24 February 1976, 30 October 1980, 30 March 1983, 24 November 1994, 22 March 2001, 29 October 2002

Mr. Speaker shall nominate, at the commencement of every session, not less than ten Members to act as temporary chairmen 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 Chairmen's Panel.

Made: 08 March 1971
Amended: 16 November 1971(+6), 04 April 1974, 30 March 1983, 24 November 1994, 20 March 1997, 13 July 2005, 04 March 2010

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

Made: 01 August 1849
Amended: 07 March 1888(+4), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 24 November 1994

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

Made: 29 April 1858
Amended: 02 August 1860(+3), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951

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.

Made: 01 July 1880
Amended: 07 March 1888(+5), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 21 October 1969

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.

Made: 14 April 1859
Amended: 15 August 1860(+5), 30 April 1866, 13 July 1869, 01 December 1902, 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933

Any oath taken or affirmation made by any witness before the House, or a committee of the whole House, may be administered by the Clerk.

Made: 20 February 1872
Amended: 07 March 1888(+5), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971
Repealed: 20 March 1997

Any oath taken or affirmation made by any witness before a select committee may be administered by the chairman, or by the clerk attending such committee.

Made: 20 February 1872
Amended: 07 March 1888(+3), 01 December 1902, 01 August 1963, 04 March 2010

The Serjeant at Arms attending this House shall take into his custody any stranger whom he may see, or who may be reported to him to be, in any part of the House or gallery appropriated to the Members of this House, and also any stranger who, having been admitted into any other part of the House or gallery, shall misconduct himself, or shall not withdraw when strangers are directed to withdraw, while the House, or any committee of the whole House, is sitting.

Made: 01 August 1849
Amended: 07 March 1888(+10), 01 December 1902, 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933, 09 March 1945, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 30 March 1983, 26 October 2004, 01 November 2006, 04 March 2010

No Member of this House shall presume to bring any stranger into any part of the House or gallery appropriated to the Members of this House while the House, or a committee of the whole House, is sitting.

Made: 01 August 1849
Amended: 01 December 1902(+4), 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 26 October 2004

If at any sitting of the House, or in a committee of the whole House, any Member shall take notice that strangers are present, Mr. Speaker, or the chairman (as the case may be), shall forthwith put the question, ' That strangers do withdraw,' and such question, though opposed, may be decided after the expiration of the time for opposed business: Provided that Mr. Speaker, or the chairman may, whenever he thinks fit, order the withdrawal of strangers from any part of the House.

An order that strangers do withdraw shall not apply to members of the House of Lords.

Made: 07 March 1888
Amended: 01 December 1902(+13), 28 January 1918, 14 November 1933, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 01 August 1963, 08 March 1971, 30 March 1983, 26 May 1989, 08 November 1991, 24 November 1994, 04 June 1998, 22 March 2001, 04 March 2010

To prevent the intercepting or losing of letters directed to Members of this House, the postmaster of the House or other persons appointed by the Post Office shall attend daily (Sundays excepted) for the delivery and re-direction of all letters arriving in course of post and shall take care, during their stay there, to deliver the same to the several Members to whom they shall be directed, or to their known servant or servants, or other persons bringing notes under the hands of the Members sending for the same.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+7), 01 December 1902, 03 April 1906, 28 July 1909, 14 November 1933, 06 December 1951, 08 March 1971, 12 November 1986
Repealed: 20 March 1997

The said officers shall, upon their going away, lock up such letters as shall remain undelivered.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 07 March 1888(+2), 01 December 1902, 14 November 1933
Repealed: 20 March 1997

When any letter or packet directed to this House shall come to Mr. Speaker, he shall open the same; and acquaint the House, at its next sitting, with the contents thereof, if proper to be communicated to this House.

Made: 25 June 1852
Amended: 01 December 1902(+2), 14 November 1933, 24 November 1994
Repealed: 20 March 1997

If, during the existence of a Parliament, papers are commanded by Her Majesty to be presented to this House at any time, the delivery of such papers to the Votes and Proceedings Office shall be deemed to be for all purposes the presentation of them to this House.

Made: 14 August 1896
Amended: 01 December 1902(+5), 14 November 1933, 04 November 1947, 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951, 03 November 1954

Where, under any Act of Parliament, a statutory instrument is required to be laid before Parliament, or before this House, the delivery of a copy of such instrument to the Votes and Proceedings Office on any day during the existence of a Parliament shall be deemed to be for all purposes the laying of it before the House: Provided that nothing in this order shall apply to any statutory instrument being an order which is subject to special parliamentary procedure or to any other instrument which is required to be laid before Parliament, or before this House, for any period before it comes into operation.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 17 December 1947(+2), 28 July 1948, 06 December 1951

When any communication has been received by Mr. Speaker, drawing attention to the fact that copies of any statutory instruments have yet to be laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies have not been so laid before the instrument came into operation, Mr. Speaker shall thereupon lay such communication upon the Table of the House.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 23 May 1985(+1), 24 November 1994

Whenever the House stands adjourned and it is represented to Mr. 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, Mr. 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 Mr. 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.

Made: 04 November 1947
Amended: 28 July 1948(+6), 06 December 1951, 03 November 1954, 08 March 1971, 16 November 1971, 24 November 1994, 22 March 2001