Adjournment on Definite Matters of Urgent Public Importance

“20. (1) A member who wishes to ask leave to move the adjournment of the Assembly for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance shall, before the commencement of the Sitting, hand to the Presiding Officer a written notification of the matter which he wishes to discuss.

(2) The Presiding Officer shall refuse to allow the claim unless he is satisfied – (a) that the matter is definite; (b) that the matter is urgent; (c) that the matter is of public importance; and (d) that the matter may properly be raised on a motion for the adjournment of the Assembly.

(3) If the Presiding Officer is so satisfied and either – (a) leave of the Assembly is given; or (b) if it is not given, at least seven members by rising indicate that they support the request; the motion shall stand over until such hour on the same day as the Presiding Officer may appoint, and at that hour any proceedings on which the Assembly is engaged shall be postponed until the motion for the adjournment is disposed of, or until such motion has continued for a period of one hour, whichever is earlier.

(4) When the debate on the motion for the adjournment has continued for the period of one hour, the motion for the adjournment shall lapse and the proceedings which were postponed shall be resumed and dealt with in accordance with the relevant Standing Orders.

(5) The Assembly’s ordinary hours of sitting shall be extended by a period of time equivalent to the period of time spent in respect of the debate on the motion for the adjournment of the Assembly for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance.

(6) Not more than one motion for the adjournment of the Assembly under this Standing Order may be allowed at one sitting.”