NAP Registered Parliamentarian (RP) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Parliamentarian Practice Questions and Study Guide

The motion to lay on the table is a privileged motion in parliamentary procedure intended to temporarily suspend consideration of a pending motion in order to address urgent matters. It is often misused when it is used to stifle debate or manage scheduling inappropriately, which can lead to confusion and unfairness in the proceedings.

The choice indicating that matters can be laid on the table in succession reflects a practice that may be permissible if the assembly has already decided to lay a matter on the table. This means that as long as there is a valid reason for these discussions being set aside, it does not constitute a misuse. It allows the assembly to manage its agenda as long as it does not violate the parliamentary rules of procedure.

In contrast, bringing another matter up out of order, ending debate prematurely, and timing discussions inappropriately involve using the motion to lay on the table in ways that disrupt proper order and limit the opportunity for fair debate. This demonstrates a misuse of the motion, as it undermines the principles of transparency and deliberation central to parliamentary procedure.