Meeting of the Parliament 13 March 2013
I thank the member for advance notice of his point of order. The member is correct that standing order 8.11 allows for only one speaker for and one speaker against a business motion. I therefore have no option but to call only one speaker to oppose the motion. I point out that the same rule in standing orders allows for amendments to a business motion. Every amendment that has the necessary support must be taken in the chamber. The proposer of any such amendment is given time to speak to that amendment, in addition to the time that is given to a member who wishes to speak against the motion.
I advise the member that, if he remains unhappy with the provisions in the standing orders, he should raise his concerns with the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.
The question is, that S4M-5913, in the name of Joe FitzPatrick, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members: No.