HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

oral questions, which may be tabled up to one month in advance
including recesses; 1
motions and questions for short debate, which may be tabled up
to one month in advance excluding recesses. 2
3.34 If a member of the House wishes a notice to appear in House of
Lords Business before a specific date has been fixed for it, he may enter it
under either “Motions for Debate”, “Questions for Short Debate” or
“Motions relating to Delegated Legislation”. There is no strictly
formulated rule against anticipation; but:
(a) a member should not put down for a specific date a question or
subject for debate which already appears in the name of another
member under any of the undated headings without first
consulting that member; and
(b) it is not in the interests of good order and courtesy that a
member should table for an earlier day a question or motion
similar to one that has already been tabled for a particular day.
3.35 Italic notes are often used to give the House advance notice of
business that is not yet ready to be tabled. 3
3.36 Notices may be withdrawn or put down for a later date by the
member of the House in whose name they stand. 4 Oral questions and
questions for short debate may be brought forward to an earlier day
without leave, at the request of the member asking the question. Other
notices can only be brought forward by leave of the House obtained on
a motion, of which notice must be given. Such a motion is generally
moved by the Leader of the House. 5
3.37 Business of which notice is required (see paragraph 3.39) must first
be called before it can proceed. Questions and motions are called by the
Clerk, in the order in which they appear on the order paper. 6
Amendments to bills are called by the Lord on the Woolsack or in the
1 See paragraph 6.25 for a full explanation of the times at which oral questions may be tabled.
2 SO 43.
3 Procedure 5th Rpt 1966–67.
4 SO 42(1).
5 Procedure 5th Rpt 1966–67, 1st Rpt 1975–76.
6 SO 39.
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