Ruling
December 18, 1984
Application not accepted
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
While the universality of social programs is an important issue, the guidelines provided by the Standing Orders require that subjects proposed for emergency debates must relate to genuine emergencies and require urgent consideration. In a 1979 ruling, Speaker Jerome interpreted "genuine emergency" to mean that the emergency itself was not a matter of argument. The issue of universality is, in the opinion of the Chair, a subject of continuing debate.
(A similar request was made on December19 (Debates, pp. 1366-7) and was refused on the grounds that the situation had not changed.).
Sources cited Standing Order 30(16).
Debates, December 10, 1979, pp. 2191-2.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"A request for an emergency debate on the universality of social programs does not meet the criteria of a 'genuine emergency' because the issue is a subject of continuing debate."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied an emergency debate on social program universality, ruling it a continuing political issue, not a 'genuine emergency' as defined by precedent.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High
AI Keywords
Cited Authorities
- Standing Orders of the House of Commons (30(16))