Division of a question

In parliamentary procedure, a motion for division of a question is used to separate a motion into a set of motions.

History

The concept of a division of a question dates back to at least 1640, when the Lex Parliamentaria noted, "If a Question upon a Debate contains more Parts than one, and Members seem to be for one Part, and not for the other; it may be moved, that the same may be divided into two, or more Questions: as Dec. 2, 1640, the Debate about the Election of two Knights was divided into two Questions."^[1]

Explanation and Use

Division of a question (RONR)
Class	Incidental motion
In order when another has the floor?	No
Requires second?	Yes
Debatable?	No
May be reconsidered?	No
Amendable?	Yes
Vote required	Majority

A motion for division of a question is used to split a motion into separate motions which are debated and voted on separately.

According to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), this motion is applicable when each of the different parts, although relating to a single subject, is capable of standing as a complete proposition without the others.^[2] The motion is made by saying, for instance, "I move to divide the resolution so as to consider separately...."^[3]

A motion to divide the question is not required when a single motion seeks approval of a series of propositions or resolutions on different subjects. Any member may obtain separate discussion and voting on any of the unrelated propositions or resolutions by making a demand for separate consideration, at any time before the unified motion is put to a vote.^[4]

Parliament

In the British House of Commons, a formal motion is not required to divide the question; since 1888, the Speaker has held that a question consisting of two or more propositions, each of which is able to stand on its own, can be divided on the objection of any Member of Parliament.^[5]

Related Motions

Consideration by Paragraph, Consider by Parts, or Consider Seriatim are names for a similar motion whereby a complex motion is broken up to be deliberated part by part. Each part is considered tentatively and amended as necessary, then the whole motion is considered and voted on as a whole.^[6] This differs from the motion to divide a question which splits the motion into two or more independent motions that are taken up in sequence. Each new motion is deliberated and voted upon before taking up the next part.

The motion division of the question is not to be confused with division of the assembly, which is a call for a rising vote.^[7]

References

↑ Petyt, George. Lex Parliamentaria. p. 169.
↑ Robert, Henry M.; et al. (2011). Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press. p. 270. ISBN 978-0-306-82020-5.
↑ Robert 2011, pp. 275-276
↑ Robert 2011, pp. 274-275
↑ May, Erskine (1989). Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice (21st ed.). Butterworths. pp. 335–6. ISBN 0-406-11471-4.
↑ Robert 2011, p. 278
↑ Robert 2011, p. 280

Parliamentary procedure

Major concepts	History of parliamentary procedure Principles of parliamentary procedure Deliberative assembly Committee Session Quorum Chair Floor Recognition Motion Second Debate Main motion Order of business Minutes Voting methods in deliberative assemblies Majority Unanimous consent

Subsidiary motions	Postpone indefinitely Amend Commit Postpone to a certain time Limit or extend limits of debate Previous question Cloture Lay on the table

Privileged motions	Call for the orders of the day Raise a question of privilege Recess Adjourn Fix the time to which to adjourn

Incidental motions	Point of order Appeal Suspend the rules Objection to the consideration of a question Division of a question Consideration by paragraph or seriatim Division of the assembly Motions relating to methods of voting and the polls Motions relating to nominations Request to be excused from a duty Requests and inquiries (Parliamentary inquiry, Request for information, Request for permission to withdraw or modify a motion, Request to read papers, Request for any other privilege)

Motions that bring a question again before the assembly	Take from the table Rescind, repeal, annul or amend something previously adopted Discharge a committee Reconsider

Legislative procedures	Call of the house Hoist Motion to pass on

Disciplinary procedures	Censure Declare the chair vacant Impeach Naming

Parliamentary authorities	Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (TSC or Sturgis) Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure Riddick's Rules of Procedure Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice Bourinot's Rules of Order Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms Morin code

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