Chapter 11 - Standing Order No 66 - Answers to questions without notice
Standing Order No. 66
Answers to questions without notice
(1) When a Minister refers a question to a Minister in the other place, the Minister must provide the answer to the House within 35 calendar days after the question was first asked.
(2) (a) If an answer to a question without notice is not provided within 35 calendar days, the President is to inform the House on the next sitting day of the details of any question not answered. The relevant Minister must immediately explain to the House the reason for non-compliance.
(b) Unless an answer to a question without notice not provided within 35 calendar days, but provided before the next sitting day, is accompanied by an explanation of the reasons for the late provision of the answer, the late provision of the answer will be reported to the House by the President, in accordance with paragraph (a).
(3) If, after explanation in the House, the Minister has not provided an answer within three sitting days, the President is to again inform the House and the Minister will again be called to explain. This procedure is to continue until an answer is provided.
(4) The reply to a question without notice may be delivered to the Clerk when the House is not sitting.
(5) When a reply to a question without notice is received by the Clerk, it is for all purposes deemed to be a document published by order or under the authority of the House.
(6) On any prorogation of the House, answers to questions without notice delivered to the Clerk since the last sitting of the House, are to be printed and circulated.
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