Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I gave an undertaking last Thursday to report back to the House to remind all members of the process for a personal explanation as provided by standing order 68:

A Member may explain how he or she has been misrepresented or explain another matter of a personal nature whether or not there is a question before the House. The following conditions shall apply:

(a) the Member must rise and seek permission from the Speaker;

(b) the Member must not interrupt another Member addressing the House; and

(c) the matter must not be debated.

It is the last point that I want to emphasise—the matter must not be debated. It should be a short, succinct statement of the misrepresentation; it should not deal with matters affecting the party or make attacks upon another member under the cover of making a personal explanation. I also emphasise that it is the practice of the House to inform the Speaker beforehand.