“25. (1) The right to ask a question shall be subject to the following general rules, as to the interpretation of which the Presiding Officer shall be the sole judge: (a) the proper object of a question is to obtain the information on a question of fact within the official cognisance of the Secretary to whom it is addressed, or to ask for official action; (b) a question shall not include the names of persons, or any statement of fact, unless they be necessary to render the question intelligible; (c) if a question contains a statement of fact, the member asking it shall make himself responsible for the accuracy of the statement, and no question shall be based upon a newspaper report or upon an unofficial publication; (d) not more than one subject shall be referred to in any one question, and a question shall not be of excessive length; (e) a question shall not contain arguments, inferences, opinions, imputations, epithets, ironical expressions; or hypothetical cases; (f) a question shall not be asked – (i) which raises an issue already decided by the Assembly, or which has been answered fully during the Current Session, or to which an answer has been refused; (ii) which seeks information about matters which are in their nature secret; (iii) regarding proceedings in a Committee which have not been placed before the Assembly by a report from that Committee; (iv) which deals with matters referred to a Commission of Enquiry or Dispute Resolution Commission or fall within the jurisdiction of the Chairman of a Select Committee; (v) as to the character or conduct of any person except in his official or public capacity.

(2) if the Presiding Officer is of the opinion that any question of which a member has given notice to the Clerk infringes the provisions of any Standing Order or is in any way abusive he may direct that:- (a) the member concerned be informed that the question is out of order; or (b) that the question be entered in the Order Book with such alterations as he may direct.”

Search More Standing Orders

Purpose

Election of Presiding Officer

Election of Chief Secretary and Deputy Chief Secretary

Appointment of a Minority Leader

Appointment of Councillors

Election of Deputy Presiding Officer

Procedure for Election

General Authority of the Presiding Officer