When are Points of Order not allowed?

Points of Order cannot be raised during Question Hour, Half-an-Hour Discussions, when the House is not functioning properly, on matters already under the Chairman's consideration, or on issues not currently before the House for discussion.

Understanding the reasoning: These restrictions logically derive from the purpose of Points of Order - to correct immediate procedural irregularities. During Question Hour, efficiency and information exchange are prioritized over procedural debates. Similarly, Half-an-Hour Discussions have a tight format that would be disrupted by procedural interventions. When the House is already disrupted, Points of Order would add confusion rather than clarity. Matters under Chairman's consideration are already receiving procedural scrutiny, making additional Points of Order redundant. And since Points of Order concern procedural correctness of current business, they logically cannot apply to matters not before the House. These restrictions collectively ensure Points of Order serve their intended purpose without becoming tools for obstruction or diversion.

Key citations:

• Chairman's ruling (13 February 1968) established the Question Hour restriction: "I am not going to allow any point of order during the question hour... unless it is very extraordinary" - prioritizing the limited question time for its intended purpose while acknowledging potential exceptional circumstances.
• Vice-Chairman's ruling (9 March 1979) applied similar logic to another format: "This is a half-an-hour discussion. You cannot raise a point of order" - protecting the integrity of specialized debate formats.
• Deputy Chairman's ruling (15 November 1971) prevented redundant procedural challenges: "As it is under the consideration of the Chairman, we need not proceed with the point of order" - avoiding duplicate procedural review.
• Chairman's ruling (2 August 2006) addressed the logical impossibility of procedural corrections during disorder: "When the House is not running then from where does point of order arise" - recognizing that procedural objections presuppose functioning proceedings.
• Chairman's ruling (25 July 2019) reinforced the requirement of current relevance: "A Member cannot raise a point of order on a matter that is not before the House" - preventing points of order from becoming vehicles to introduce unscheduled topics.