Consideration of Motions in a Committee of the Whole
Although the House now resolves itself into
a Committee of the Whole primarily for the consideration of legislation, other
matters such as motions, resolutions and addresses have been considered in a
Committee of the
Whole. [184]
Indeed,
the potential mandate of a Committee of the Whole is virtually unlimited as it
may consider any substantive motion which the House chooses to refer to
it. [185]
In the past,
the consideration of matters other than legislation was largely limited to
resolutions preceding bills involving the expenditure of public funds,
resolutions relating to trade, and resolutions providing for the grant of public
money [186]
or for the
imposition of a public tax; from time to time, other matters have also been
debated in a Committee of the
Whole. [187]
When a motion or resolution is referred to
a Committee of the Whole for consideration, the Chairman proposes the motion or
resolution and asks the Committee if it wishes to adopt
it. [188]
The sponsor
of the resolution or motion opens the debate and other Members then rise to
participate in the debate and to ask questions. The normal rules for debate in a
Committee of the Whole apply. Amendments and subamendments may be proposed. At
the conclusion of debate, the Chairman will put the question on the resolution
or motion. If agreed to, the Chairman requests leave to report the resolution or
motion to the House. If leave is granted, the Chairman rises, the Mace is put
back in place on the Table, the Speaker resumes the Chair, and the Chairman
reports the resolution or
motion. [189]
Should a Committee of the Whole report a
resolution, the Speaker immediately puts the motion to concur in the resolution,
without debate or
amendment. [190]
Given that the House declares its own opinions and purposes by
resolution, [191]
if the House agrees with the concurrence motion, it expresses its support for the
content of the resolution; if not, the House withholds its
support.