Requests and inquiries

[4] Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure states, "It is not, however, the presiding officer's duty to answer general questions concerning parliamentary law.Prior to the 11th edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, this device was known as "point of information."The change was made to avoid the common misconception that this motion was to provide information instead of correctly being a request.A request for information can be used to remind a member of a point to be made in argument or with the intention of rebutting his position, but it must always be put in the form of a question.Under Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure, a member can read from such documents, but must stop if an objection is made, seconded, and adopted by majority vote.It is customary, however, to allow members to read printed extracts as part of their speeches, as long as they do not abuse the privilege.Members are entitled to speak from notes.In a deliberative assembly, a request for any other privilege is used when one wishes to, for instance, make a presentation when no motion is pending.In addition, Demeter states:[18]To prevent delays which can arise out of such requests, but yet to give ear to meritorious ones, sagacious and alert members can rise and say: "Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, for what purpose does he want the floor," or "What will Mr. X discuss?"He is thus qualified to object if the purpose is not meritorious.A request to be excused from a duty is used when a member of a deliberative assembly wishes to be excused from attending a certain number of meetings, preparing talks or papers, serving on committees, or any other duties that may be imposed on the member.
Freedom of information laws by countryRequest for informationRequestInquiry (disambiguation)parliamentary proceduremotionsdeliberative assemblyIncidental motionIn order when another has the floorRequires secondDebatableMay be reconsideredAmendableVote requiredchairpersoncall for the orders of the daypoint of orderMason's Manual of Legislative ProcedureRobert's Rules of Orderparliamentary inquiryfriendly amendmentunanimous consentdilatoryDemeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and ProcedureResignationHistory of parliamentary procedurePrinciples of parliamentary procedureCommitteeQuorumRecognitionMotionSecondDebateMinutesVoting methods in deliberative assembliesMajorityPostpone indefinitelyPostpone to a certain timePrevious questionClotureLay on the tableRaise a question of privilegeAppealSuspend the rulesObjection to the consideration of a questionDivision of a questionConsideration by paragraph or seriatimDivision of the assemblyPrayer motionTake from the tableReconsiderCall of the houseMotion to pass onRecall of ParliamentDisciplinary proceduresCensureDeclare the chair vacantImpeachNamingParliamentary authoritiesRobert's Rules of Order Newly RevisedThe Standard Code of Parliamentary ProcedureRiddick's Rules of ProcedureJefferson's ManualLex ParliamentariaOdgers' Australian Senate PracticeHouse of Representatives PracticeBourinot's Rules of OrderBeauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and FormsMorin codeABC of Chairmanship