150 THE METHOD OF LEGISLATION.

the Committee practically adopted the rules previously in
force in the former legislative assembly of Canada.
Sessional orders are rules of a temporary nature intended
to govern the business of the session, such as the time of
adjournment or the presentation of papers’; resolutions may
also be passed but their force will expire at the end of the
session”
Aariorsde The rules and standing orders may from time to time
vent of 1o amended. The amendments are in the first instance
discussed by a Special Committee appointed by the House, of
which Committee the Speaker is always a member, and are
afterwards considered by a Committee of the whole House’.
Suspen- The Senate and House of Commons never permit their
lon of rules and standing orders to be suspended, except by
unanimous consent though a rule may be repealed or
amended by a majority of the members*.

Sessional
orders.

Tae Housk or COMMONS.

Com- The House on days when it is in session meets at three
eteg o'clock’ Twenty members including the Speaker are rethesitting.
 quired to constitute a quorum? and if on taking the chair the
Speaker finds that 20 members are not present, he adjourns
the House until the usual hour on the next sitting day”.
A count-out rarely happens in Canada. Contrary to the
English practice members may enter the House during the
whole time the count is going on® The Speaker reads
a form of prayer adopted by the House in 1877, the
doors are then opened and the business of the day proceeds.
Order of The order of routine business in the Commons is as
business. flows? ——

1 Burinot, p. 217. 2 Th. 3 Ib, p, 214.
¢ Tb. p. 215.
5 At 6 o'clock the Speaker leaves the chair until 7.30,
5 B, N. A. Act 1867, ss. 35, 48, 7” Com. 8.0. 1, 2.
3 Rurinot. n. 248. ? Com. S. 0. 19.