Standing Orders — Sessional

on behalf of the Leader of the House: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move, That the following rules be adopted, with effect from 12 June 2023:

1 Sittings of the House

(1) The House sits as follows:

Tuesday and Wednesday: 2 pm to 6 pm and 7.30 pm to 10 pm

💬 Thursday: 2 pm to 6 pm.

(2) On a Tuesday and a Wednesday, the sitting is suspended at 6 pm until 7.30 pm.

(3) Standing Order 46 is suspended.

2 Effect of extended sitting hours and urgency

(1) Whenever a sitting on a Thursday has been extended under Standing Order 56, the sitting is suspended from 6 pm to 7.30 pm, is suspended at 10 pm, and resumes at 9 am the following day.

(2) Whenever urgency has been accorded, and the Government has advised the Business Committee of the intention to move on a Thursday to accord urgency to business, the sitting on that Thursday is suspended between 6 pm and 7.30 pm and between 10 pm and 9 am.

(3) Standing Orders 56(4)(b) and 58(2)(b) are suspended.

3 Casting of party votes and proxy votes on Thursdays

(1) On a Thursday, from 5 pm until that sitting adjourns,—

(a) there is no limit on proxy votes that may be cast by a party,

(b) a party that consists of five or fewer members, if not present in the Chamber, may have votes cast on its behalf by the leader or whip of another party, and

(c) an Independent member, if not present in the Chamber, may have their vote cast on their behalf by the leader or whip of a party.

(2) Standing Orders 144(5) and (6) and 146 are read accordingly.

(3) This rule does not apply to a sitting that has been extended under Standing Order 56 or in respect of which urgency has been accorded.

4 Business Committee determinations

Rules 1 to 3 do not affect the Business Committee’s powers to determine hours or arrangements for sittings and to adjust or waive the limit on proxy votes.

Motion agreed to.