Cap 2501 rule 47 Decision of Council and Committee of the Whole Council (RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION)

Contents of Section

Instrument:	A501	Title:	RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION	Gazette Number:	L.N. 107 of 1999
Rule:	47	Heading:	Decision of Council and Committee of the Whole Council	Version Date:	30/04/1999

(1) Except where subrule (2) applies, when the President or Chairman puts a question to the Council or to the committee of the whole Council for its decision-

(a) the President or Chairman shall first call upon those Members who are in favour of the question to raise their hands, and shall then call upon those who are against the question to raise their hands;

(b) the President or Chairman shall then, according to his judgment, state whether or not he thinks the required majority of the Members present are in favour of the question and, subject to any challenges to his statement being dealt with under paragraph (c) below, he shall declare the question to have been so decided;

(c) if a Member challenges the statement of the President or Chairman by claiming a division, then the President or Chairman shall order the Council or the committee, as the case may be, to proceed to a division; and, subject to Rule 49 (4) to (7) (Divisions), the division shall be held forthwith immediately after a division bell has been rung for three minutes.

(2) Other than in relation to a motion moved under Rule 49B (Disqualification of Member from Office) or 66 (Bills Returned for Reconsideration) or Article 52(2), 73(9) (in respect of a motion of impeachment) or 159 of the Basic Law, when the President or Chairman puts a question to the Council or to a committee of the whole Council for its decision in relation to a motion or bill introduced by a Member, or an amendment introduced by a Member to any motion or bill- (L.N. 107 of 1999)

(a) the President or Chairman shall first call upon Members who are in favour of the question to raise their hands, and shall then call upon those who are against the question to raise their hands;

(b) the President or Chairman shall then, according to his judgment, state whether or not he thinks that a majority of each of the two groups of Members present, referred to in Rule 46(2) (Decision on Motions), are in favour of the question; subject to any challenge to his statement being dealt with under paragraph (c), he shall declare the question to have been so decided;

(c) if a Member challenges the statement of the President or Chairman by claiming a division, then the President or Chairman shall order Members to proceed to a division; and, subject to Rule 49(4) to (7) (Divisions), the division shall be held forthwith immediately after a division bell has been rung for three minutes.

(L.N. 311 of 1998)