Rules of Procedure

PART C
ARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS


18. Order of Business at a Meeting

  • (1)
    The business of each meeting other than a meeting under Rule 8 (Attendance of the Chief Executive) or Rule 13 (The Chief Executive's Policy Address) shall be transacted in the following order:
    (L.N. 237 of 2021)
    • (a)
      (Repealed L.N. 237 of 2021)
    • (b)
      Obituary and other ceremonial speeches.
    • (c)
      Reading by the President of messages and announcements by the President.
    • (d)
      Presentation of petitions.
    • (e)
      Laying on the Table of papers and of reports of committees.
    • (f)
      Asking and answering of questions put to the Government.
    • (g)
      Statements by designated public officers.
    • (h)
      Personal explanations.
    • (i)
      Government bills.
    • (j)
      Government motions other than those specified in paragraph (ja). (L.N. 245 of 2009)
    • (ja)
      Government motions on subsidiary legislation and other instruments made under an Ordinance.
      (L.N. 245 of 2009)
    • (jb)
      Members' motions on subsidiary legislation and other instruments made under an Ordinance, excluding motions moved under Rule 49E(2) (Motions on Reports of House Committee on Consideration of Subsidiary Legislation and Other Instruments). (L.N. 245 of 2009; L.N. 47 of 2021)
    • (jc)
      Requests for leave under Rule 89 (Procedure for Obtaining Leave for Member to Attend as Witness in Civil Proceedings) and Rule 90 (Procedure for Obtaining Leave to Give Evidence of Council Proceedings). (L.N. 47 of 2021)
    • (k)
      Members' bills.
    • (l)
      Members' other motions.
      (L.N. 245 of 2009; L.N. 47 of 2021)
    • (m)
      (Repealed L.N. 47 of 2021)
    • (n)
      Proceedings under Rule 16(4) (Motions for the Adjournment of the Council).
  • (2)
    The items of business mentioned in paragraphs (b), (c), (g) and (h) of subrule (1) shall not require notice; but with the exception of the item of business mentioned in paragraph (c) they shall not be entered upon save with the previous leave of the President.
    (L.N. 47 of 2021; L.N. 237 of 2021)

19. The Agenda of the Council

  • (1)
    The Agenda of the Council shall be decided by the President, and shall be in Chinese and English. Subject to subrule (1A), all items of business for a meeting of which notice has been given shall be placed on the Agenda for that meeting in the order required by Rule 18 (Order of Business at a Meeting). (L.N. 187 of 2017)
  • (1A)
    In respect of any motion or any bill to be placed on the Agenda for a meeting of the Council, the President or the Chairman of a committee of the whole Council shall have the power to select the amendments, new clauses or new schedules to be proposed to such motion or bill, and also the power to direct two or more motions or amendments considered by him to be cognate to be combined, and to set a time limit on the consideration of such motion or bill.
    (L.N. 187 of 2017; L.N. 47 of 2021)
  • (2)
    All questions to the Government shall be placed on the Agenda of the Council in accordance with the provisions of Rule 26(1) and (2) (Asking and Answering of Questions).
  • (3)
    This Rule does not apply to a meeting under Rule 8 (Attendance of the Chief Executive) or Rule 13 (The Chief Executive's Policy Address). (L.N. 237 of 2021)
Introduction
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Order of Business at a Meeting
The Agenda of the Council