Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 236

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RULES OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG

(4) Every bill inten led to affect, or benefit some particular person, association or corporate body shall in accordance with Clause XXVII of the Royal Instructions of the 14th February, 1917, contain a section saving the rights of His Majesty the King, His Heirs and Successors, all bodies politic and corporate, and all others except such as are mentioned in the bill, and those claiming by, from, and under them.

31.-RELEVANCY OF AMENDMENTS

(1) When any bill, or clause of a bill, or motion, is under consideration in the Council or a committee thereof, an amendment may be proposed to such bill, clause or motion if it be relevant to the bill, clause or motion to which it is proposed.

(2) An amendment may be proposed to any amendment proposed from the chair if it be relevant to the original amendment.

(3) In committee on a bill a new clause or schedule may be proposed if it be relevant to the subject matter of the bill, and an amendment may be proposed to it if the amendment may be relevant to the new clause or schedule.

(4) An amendment, or a new clause or schedule, shall not require notice. (5) The President, or the Chairman as the case may be, may require any proposed amendment to be handed to the Clerk in writing.

32.-SECONDING OF MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS

A motion or amendment shall not be proposed from the chair in Council unless it shall have received a seconder, but in committee a seconder shall not be required for any amendment or for any new clause or schedule.

33. METHOD OF PUTTING THE QUESTION ON AMENDMENTS

Subject to the provisions of paragraph (7) of Standing Order 27 upon an amendment to leave out words and insert other words instead of them a question. shall first be proposed from the chair "that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question," and if that question be negatived, the question for the insertion of the alternative words shall then be proposed, provided that on con- sideration of a bill in committee the Chairman shall if possible put as the test question on an amendment only such words as will not prevent a subsequent amendment which is in order from being moved. If the question so proposed be negatived the words proposed by the amendment to be left out shall be deemed to be left out without further question.

34. WITHDRAWAL OF MOTIONS OR AMENDMENTS

When any motion or amendment has been proposed from the chair, it may be withdrawn at the request of the mover if, on the President, or in committee the Chairman, asking whether it be the pleasure of the Council or committee that the motion or amendment be withdrawn, a dissenting voice be not raised thereto.

35.-PUBLICATION OF EVIDENCE

The evidence taken before any committee of the Council and any documents presented to such committee which have not been reported to the Council shall not be published by any member of such committee or by any other person, except with the permission of the President.

36.- PRACTICE OF PARLIAMENT

(1) In cases of doubt the Standing Orders of this Council shall be interpreted in the light of the relevant practice of the Commons House of Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.