Is the Previous Question out of order when another member has the floor?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. Always

Answer: (A)

When a member has the floor, the assembly keeps to the speaker's turns and interruptions are tightly limited. A motion to bring the Previous Question is used to end debate on the current motion and move straight to a vote. Because it cuts off the ongoing discussion, it isn’t in order while someone is actively speaking. You’d typically use it only once the floor is open again—after the current speaker has finished or yielded the floor for debate on the motion. If a procedural issue arises while someone is speaking, you’d raise a point of order rather than trying to force an end to debate mid-speech. So the correct understanding is that this motion would be out of order when another member has the floor.