Chapter V

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS AND MESSAGES TO THE HOUSE

Allotment of time for discussion of the address

14. The Speaker shall, in consultation with the Leader of the House, allot time for the discussion of the matters referred to in the President's Address to the Houses under article 87(1) of the Constitution.

Scope of discussion

15. On such day or days or part of any day, the House shall be at liberty to discuss the matters referred to in such Address on a Motion of Thanks moved by a member and seconded by another member.

Amendments

16. The House shall sit on such days as the Speaker, having regard to the state of business of the House, may from time to time direct.

Adjournment of House

17. Amendments may be moved to such Motion of Thanks in such form as may be considered appropriate by the Speaker.

Other business that may be taken up

18. (1) Notwithstanding that a day has been allotted for discussion on the President's Address,-
(a) a motion or motions for leave to introduce a Bill or Bills may be made and a Bill or Bills may be introduced on such day; and
(b) other business of a formal character may be transacted on such day before the House commences or continues the discussion on the Address.
(2) The discussion on the Address may be postponed in favour of a Government Bill or other Government business on a motion being made that the discussion on the Address be adjourned to a subsequent day to be appointed by the Speaker. The Speaker shall forthwith put the question, no amendment or debate being allowed.
(3) The discussion on the Address shall be interrupted in the course of a sitting by an adjournment motion under rule 61.

Right of reply

19. (1) The Prime Minister or any other Minister, whether he has previously taken part in the discussion or not, shall on behalf of the Government have a general right of explaining the position of the Government at the end of the discussion and the Speaker may enquire how much time will be required for the speech so that he may fix the hour by which the discussion shall conclude.
(2)The mover or the seconder shall not have any right of reply after the Prime Minister or any other Minister has explained the position of the Government at the end of the discussion.

Time limit for speeches

20. The Speaker may, if he thinks fit, prescribe a time limit for speeches after taking the sense of the House.
President's Address under art. 86(1)
22. The Speaker may allot time for the discussion of the matters referred to in the President's Address under article 86 (1) of the Constitution.

Messages from President.

21. Where a message from President for the House under article 86 (2) of the Constitution is received by the Speaker, he shall read the message to the House and give necessary directions in regard to the procedure that shall be followed for the consideration of matters referred to in the message. In giving these directions, the Speaker shall be empowered to suspend or vary the rules to such extent as may be necessary.

President's address on prorogation.

22. When the President prorogues the House or Houses, he may address the House or Houses, as the case may be.