Ruling
December 10, 1979
Issue not urgent; other opportunity for debate
Hon. James Jerome
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The rule requires that the subject matter proposed for debate relate to a genuine emergency. In this case, the issue of emergency is a matter of argument between the government and the opposition. The Chair is inclined in such an instance "to rule against the application of this rule where the very emergency itself is a matter of interpretation or a matter of argument".
Another reason to reject the application is the likelihood that the House will have the opportunity to debate the matter within reasonable time by other means. A budget is to be received shortly in the House and the Chair believes that this will give the opposition an opportunity to consider the entire economic policy of the government.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The application for an emergency debate is denied as the subject does not constitute a genuine emergency and an alternative opportunity for debate will soon be available."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied an emergency debate request because the issue was a matter of political argument and another debate opportunity was imminent.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High