Chapter 11 - Standing Order No 65 - Rules for questions
Standing Order No. 65
Rules for questions
(1) Questions must not contain:
(a) statements of fact or names of persons unless they are strictly necessary to render the question intelligible and can be authenticated,
(b) arguments,
(c) inferences,
(d) imputations,
(e) epithets,
(f) ironical expressions, or
(g) hypothetical matter.
(2) Questions must not ask:
(a) for an expression of opinion,
(b) for a statement or announcement of the government’s policy, or
(c) for a legal opinion .
(3) Questions must not refer to:
(a) debates in the current session, or
(b) proceedings in committee not yet reported to the House.
(4) Questions must not anticipate discussion upon an order of the day or other matter on the Notice Paper, except an item of private members’ business outside the order of precedence or an order of the day relating to the budget estimates.
(5) An answer must be relevant to a question.
(6) In answering a question a member must not debate the question.
(7) The President may direct that the language of a question be changed if it is unbecoming or not in conformity with these rules.
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