Ruling
March 18, 1986
Unparliamentary language
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
Simultaneous translation is provided in the House so that Members can follow the proceedings as they take place, no matter in which language they occur. The issue of translation aside, however, the question that is to be decided regarding the use of unparliamentary language is whether a disorder is caused by that language at that time. Therefore, the matter should be raised as close as possible to the time it occurs. Otherwise, it is difficult to argue that disorder occurred, because disorder is not caused in print but rather at the moment the language is used..
References Debates, March 17, 1986, p. 11558; March 18, 1986, pp. 11597-8.
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Holding
"A point of order regarding unparliamentary language must be raised contemporaneously because the procedural issue is the disorder caused at the moment the language is used, not its subsequent appearance in print."
AI Summary
This ruling clarifies that challenges to unparliamentary language must be made immediately, as the key test is the disorder caused at the time of speaking, not later.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Not specified
- Significance
Low
High