Ruling
December 10, 1984
Opposition motion, amendment
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
There are two principles which are central to the traditions of the House concerning motions put forward for debate on Supply days. The first is that an amendment must not change the direction or impact or thrust of the main motion. The second is the spirit of fair play which requires that the allotted day should not be taken away from the mover of the motion by means of an amendment moved by another Member. The effect of the motion put forward by Mr. Turner is to change the subject of the debate so radically as to offend against the traditions of Supply days.
When deciding whether an amendment is in order as an amendment, notwithstanding whether or not it negates the motion, there is another test which can be used as a simple rule of thumb, that is to see whether the amendment could stand alone as a separate motion and be debated separately. Mr. Turner's motion could form an additional motion for another day..
Sources cited Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 168, c. 482.
References Debates, December 10, 1984, pp. 1040, 1068-70.
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Holding
"An amendment to a Supply motion is out of order if it radically changes the subject of debate, as it must not alter the thrust of the main motion and must respect that the allotted day belongs to the original mover."
AI Summary
Speaker rules an amendment to a Supply motion out of order for radically changing the subject of debate.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Sustained
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Supply
- Significance
Low
High