Skip to content

Publications

The Table

The Table is the Journal of the Society of Clerks-at-the-Table in Commonwealth Parliaments and contains summaries of activities from Parliaments throughout the Commonwealth as well as articles of interest on a wide variety of issues related to Parliamentary process.

The Table welcomes and encourages submissions from all Society members. Articles should be sent to the deputy editor, Joe Berry, berryje@parliament.uk. The editor also looks forward to any comments and suggestions as to the content and format of The Table in order to best address the needs of its readers and Society members.

The annual Questionnaire is now available. Please email your responses, preferably as a Word file, by 1 May 2024 to berryje@parliament.uk who would be happy to discuss any extensions required to the deadline for responses to the questionnaire should it be needed.

The Table cover page

The Table, Volume 91, 2023

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Members of the Society
  • Crown and Parliament [DR DAVID TORRANCE]
  • Kangaroo court or defence of democracy? — The Privileges Committee’s inquiry into Boris Johnson [DR ROBIN JAMES]
  • The Centre Block Rehabilitation Project [ERIC JANSE]
  • Practice makes perfect? (or at least a little better)— Sessional orders as a vehicle for procedural reform in the New South Wales Legislative Council [VELIA MIGNACCA]
  • The adoption of the closure in the New Zealand House of Representatives [DAVID WILSON]
  • Testing the limits: recent questions on the powers of the Scottish Parliament and devolved autonomy [SARAH McKAY]
  • “While the sun shone”: Hatsell, Ley and the problems of patronage, 1802–1812 [COLIN LEE]
  • Archibald Milman and the crisis of legislation, 1880–1891 [COLIN LEE]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: Unexpected change in the head of state
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2022
  • Index

The Table, Volume 90, 2022

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Archibald Milman and the evolution of the closure— Part 3: 1885–1894 [COLIN LEE]
  • Electronic voting in Canada's House of Commons [JEFFREY LEBLANC]
  • The evolution of the Code of Conduct in the House of Lords [TOM WILSON]
  • “Much more than sufficient”: Clerkly profits and patronage, 1796-1802 [COLIN LEE]
  • Sending for papers: The Laurentian University inquiry [WILLIAM WONG]
    • [CHRISTOPHER TYRELL]
  • Legislative consent: A convention under strain? [MICHAEL TORRANCE]
  • Library researchers and select committees [DARYL SLATTER]
    • [GABOR HELLYER]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: Committee powers to assist scrunity of governments
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2021
  • Index

The Table, Volume 89, 2021

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Archibald Milman and the evolution of the closure— Part 2: 1882–1885 [COLIN LEE]
  • Scrutiny of Treaties by the House of Lords: an insider’s reflections [ALEXANDER HORNE]
  • “Upon a greater stage”: John Hatsell and John Ley on politics and procedure, 1760–1796 [COLIN LEE]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2020
  • Index

The Table, Volume 88, 2020

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Archibald Milman and the evolution of the closure— Part 1: Origins to 1881 [COLIN LEE]
  • Taking back control? Initiatives in non-government agenda control in the UK Parliament in 2019 [COLIN LEE]
  • Interpretation in the Chamber [PENNY HART]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: the regulation of member behaviour
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2019
  • Index

The Table, Volume 87, 2019

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Archibald Milman and the failure of supply reform 1882-1888 [COLIN LEE]
  • Queen's Consent [ANDREW MAKOWER]
  • Uncharted territory: Ontario and the notwithstanding clause [JOCELYN MCCAULEY]
  • Is the official Opposition official? [MICHAEL TATHAM]
  • The provision of security in the legislative precints in Ontario [WILLIAM WONG]
  • Foreign allegiances and the constitutional disqualification of members [CATHERINE CORNISH]
  • The Electoral Boundaries Bill in Yukon [LINDA KOLODY]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: the role of the Opposition
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2018
  • Index

The Table, Volume 86, 2018

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Archibald Milman and the 1894 Finance Bill [COLIN LEE]
  • Party voting in the New Zealand House of Representatives [DAVID WILSON]
  • The Lord Speaker's Committee on the size of the House of Lords: a new approach to turning the oil tanker [TOM WILSON]
  • Conduct in the Jersey States Assembly [MARK EGAN]
  • The Strathclyde Review: effective scrutiny of secondary legislation? [PAUL BRISTOW]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: dissolution of Parliament
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2017
  • Index

The Table, Volume 85, 2017

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Archibald Milman and the transformation of questions to ministers, 1871–1902 [COLIN LEE]
  • Constitutional issues and the 2016 double dissolution of the Australian Parliament [DAVID ELDER]
  • The European Union referendum and Parliament [JULIA LABETA]
  • Irreconcilable differences and the father of reconciliation [NIGEL PRATT]
  • A political act? The story of the Trade Union Bill and an unexpected Lords committee [TOM WILSON]
  • Committee of Privileges: inquiry on select committees and contempt [MARK EGAN]
  • Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms in Pakistan [NIGHAT PARISTAN]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: sub judice rules
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2016
  • Index

The Table, Volume 84, 2016

PDF
  • Editorial
  • English votes for English laws [MATTHEW HAMLYN]
  • Parliament of Canada: balancing security and access [MARC BOSC]
  • Archibald Milman and the 1893 Irish Home Rule bill [COLIN LEE]
  • A Companion to the history, rules and practices of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region [SIR MALCOLM JACK]
  • The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee of the House of Lords: reflections 12 years after its establishment [PAUL BRISTOW]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: accountability of heads of government
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2015
  • Index

The Table, Volume 83, 2015

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Legislating for parliamentary privilege: the New Zealand Parliamentry Privilage Act 2014 [DEBRA ANGUS]
  • Scottish independence referendum begat constitutional commission begat command paper and draft legislation [STEPHEN IMRIE]
  • The Smith Commission for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliamant: faster, safer, better change? [TRACEY WHITE]
  • Archibald Milman and the procedural response to obstruction, 1877–1888 [COLIN LEE]
  • Waiving good riddance to section 13 of the Defamation Act 1996? [ALEXANDER HORNE and OONAGH GAY OBE]
  • Clerks at war— William Rupert McCourt, Frederick Barker Langley and Harry Robbins [DR GARETH GRIFFITH]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: voting in the chamber
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2014
  • Index

The Table, Volume 82, 2014

PDF
  • Editorial
  • The Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege [Christopher Johnson]
  • Motion of no confidence in the president of the Republic of South Africa [Masibulele Xaso]
  • Renewal and restoration: contemporary trends in the evolution of parliamentary privilege [Charles Robert and Dara Lithwick]
  • The House of Lords and the scuppering of constituency boundary reform [Rhodri Walters CB]
  • The position of leader of the opposition in Prince Edward Island [Marian Johnston]
  • Miscellaneous notes
  • Comparative study: interactions between parliaments and judges
  • Privilege
  • Standing orders
  • Sitting days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on parliament in 2013
  • Index

The Table, Volume 81, 2013

PDF
  • Editorial
  • “You have committed a great offence and have but a weak answer to make for yourself”: when clerks make mistakes [Steven Reynolds]
  • Failing better: the House of Lords Reform Bill [Liam Laurence Smyth and Rhodri Walters]
  • Privilege: the long and winding road—a prisoner’s appearance before the bar of Parliament [Michael Ries]
  • Select committees in the House of Lords [Michael Torrance]
  • Petitioning Parliament [Margaret McKinnon]
  • Gas plants, a minority government and a case of privilege [Anne Stokes]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study: Scheduling of Business in the Chamber
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on Parliament in 2012
  • Index

The Table, Volume 80, 2012

PDF
  • Editorial
  • The Impact of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 on a Government’s Management of its LegislativeTimetable, on Parliamentary Procedure and on Legislative Draftings [Rhodri Walters]
  • Then and Now: Necessity, the Charter and Parliamentary Privilege in the Provincial Legislative Assemblies of Canada [Charles Robert and David Taylor]
  • Australia’s Parliamentary Privileges Act 25 Years On [Bernard Wright]
  • Parliamentary Privilege: a Dignified or Efficient Part of the Constitution? [Sir Malcolm Jack]
  • Public Bodies Orders—the First Year of Scrutiny in the House of Lords [Kate Lawrence, Jane White and Paul Bristow]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study: Investigating Complaints about Members’ Conduct
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on Parliament in 2011
  • Index

The Table, Volume 79, 2011

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Coalition Government in the House of Lords – Some Procedural Challenges [Tom Mohan]
  • House of Commons Backbench Business Committee [Andrew Kennon]
  • Falling Short: How a Decision of the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal Allowed a Claim to Privilege to Trump Statute Law [Charles Robert]
  • South Africa’s Parliament and Executive Oversight: An Acid Test for the Powers of Oversight Committees [Kamal Mansura and Francois Basson]
  • Allegation of Contempt in Respect of a Joint Committee [Christopher Johnson]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study: Timetabling Bills and Closure Motions
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Days
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on Parliament
  • Index

The Table, Volume 78, 2010

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Conduct of Members: Recent Developments in the House of Lords [Christopher Johnson]
  • Control of Delegated Legislation in the Australian Senate [Richard Pye]
  • Parliamentary Privilege in the Canadian Context: An Alternative Perspective Part I: The Constitution Act, 1867 [Charles Robert]
  • The Changing Face of Parliamentary Opposition: Independents, Parties and Houses: An Overview of Recent Northern Territory Events [Robyn Smith]
  • The Law Lords Depart: Constitutional Change at Westminster [Brendan Keith]
  • Integrity and Accountability Review in Queensland [Neil Laurie]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study: The Role of the Clerk or Secretary General
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books on Parliament in 2009
  • Index

The Table, Volume 77, 2009

PDF
  • Editorial
  • The Election of a Speaker in the United Kingdom House of Commons [Chris Stanton ]
  • Annotated Standing Orders of the Australian Senate [Dr. Rosemary Laing]
  • Election of a New President of the Republic of South Africa [M K Mansura and Francois Basson]
  • Results-based Management in the Parliamentary Environment [Paul C. Bélisle and Jill Anne Joseph]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study:Topicality
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books and Videos on Parliament in 2008
  • Index

The Table, Volume 76, 2008

PDF
  • Editorial
  • The House of Lords Select Committee on the Merits of Statutory Instruments [Paul Bristow]
  • Parliamentary Privilege and Extra Territorial Publication:the Irish Perspective [Mellissa English]
  • Consideration of Legislation by Australian Senate Committees and the Selection of Bills Committee [Richard Pye]
  • Devolution in Wales—‘A Process Not an Event’ [Siân Wilkins]
  • Dilatory Amendments in the House of Lords [Christopher Johnson]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study:Recruitment and Training of Clerks
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books and Videos on Parliament
  • Index

The Table, Volume 75, 2007

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Parliamentary Control of Finance: Bringing Back the Revolution [Harry Evans]
  • Shield or Sword? Parliamentary Privilege, Charter Rights and the Rule of Law [Charles Robert and Vince MacNeil]
  • Multiple Choice Voting [Andrew Makower, Paul Bristow and Nicolas Besly]
  • When is Ministerial Briefing Material Protected by Parliamentary Privilege and what are the Implications? [Neil Laurie]
  • The Australian Parliamentary Studies Centre: Strengthening Parliamentary Institutions Project [Ian Harris]
  • Westminster, Past and Present
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study: Developments in Support Services
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books and Videos on Parliament
  • Index

The Table, Volume 74, 2006

PDF
  • Editorial
  • An Opportunity Missed: The Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege, Graham-Campbell and Internal Affairs [Charles Robert]
  • A New Joint Department at Westminster [Richard Ware]
  • A Communications Plan for the National Assembly of Québec [Patrik Gilbert]
  • Parliamentary Committees and Neglected Voices in Society [Kathleen Dermody, Ian Holland, Elton Humphery]
  • The Declaration of the 2005 World Conference of Speakers [Gary O’Brien]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Comparative Study: Induction of New Members
  • Privilege
  • Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions
  • Books and Videos on Parliament
  • Index

The Table, Volume 73, 2005

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Estimates Hearings: the Grand Inquisition [Harry Evans]
  • A Procedural Throwback: the Select Committee on the Constitutional Reform Bill [HL] [Rhodri Walters]
  • “Bleeding the Brakes” — A Response to Legislation Affecting the New Zealand Appropriation Process [Mary Hay]
  • The Election of the Speaker in Sri Lanka [Priyanee Wijesekera]
  • The Hunting Act 2004 and the Parliament Acts [Tom Mohan]
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation in the House of Lords [Christine Salmon]
  • Natural Justice Issues for Parliamentary Committees [Robyn McClelland]
  • Preparation for Life at The Table: Perspectives from Australia and New Zealand [Liz Choat and David Bagnall]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Annual Comparative Study: Delegated Legislation
  • Privilege Cases
  • Amendments to Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions in 2004
  • Books and Videos on Parliament
  • Index

The Table, Volume 72, 2004

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Questions Without Answers: Joint Meetings of the Australian Senate and House of Representatives [Dr. Rosemary Laing]
  • Supply Motions and Bills in the House of Commons: the Impact of Resource Accounting and Budgeting [Colin Lee]
  • E-democracy and the Work of Parliamentary Committees [Marc Bosc]
  • A Period of Reform for Victoria’s Legislative Council [Dr. Stephen Redenbach]
  • The Juridical Protection Plan for Members of the National Assembly of Québec [René Chrétien]
  • Scrutinising Waste — An Innovative Committee Procedure [Siwan Davies]
  • Seizure of a Member’s Documents Under Search Warrant [John Denton Evans]
  • Voting in Error in the States of Jersey [Michael N. de la Haye]
  • Ruling on a Motion of Urgent Public Importance [Floyd W. McCormick, PH.D]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Annual Comparative Study: Private Members’ Legislation
  • Privilege Cases
  • Amendments to Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions in 2003
  • Books and Videos on Parliament 2003
  • Index

The Table, Volume 71, 2003

PDF
  • Editorial
  • Executive Accountability in the “Children Overboard” Affair [Dr. Sarah Bachelard]
  • House of Lords: New Ways of Working [Sir Michael Davies, KCB]
  • A v. the UK in the European Court of Human Rights (2002) [Malcolm Jack]
  • Unusual Proceedings Occasioned by a Loss of Majority in the Yukon Legislative Assembly [Floyd W. McCormick, PH.D]
  • Montserrat’s Response to the Volcano [Claudette Weekes]
  • Maintaining Institutional Memory in the Northern Ireland Assembly — How Much is Experience Worth? [Joe Reynolds]
  • Sitting of Parliament in a Regional Area [Ian Thompson and Annette Henery]
  • Some Reflections on Harnessing New Technologies in the Service of Parliamentary Democracy [François Côté and Charles A. Bogue]
  • Crossing of the Floor Legislation: The Judgment of the South African Constitutional Court in United Democratic Movement v. President of the Republic South Africa and Others [Jodi-Anne Borien]
  • Changing Times [George Cubie]
  • Hereditary Peers’ By-election [Anna Murphy]
  • The Failed Attempts at Electing a Speaker in Trinidad and Tobago [Jacqui Sampson Jacent]
  • Miscellaneous Notes
  • Annual Comparative Study: The Timing of Business and Carry-over
  • Privilege Cases
  • Amendments to Standing Orders
  • Sitting Times
  • Unparliamentary Expressions in 2002
  • Books and Videos on Parliament
  • Index

The Table, Volume 70, 2002

  • Editorial
  • Appointments, retirements and obituaries
  • Assessing the Impact of Committee Staffing Arrangements — Department of the House of Representatives, Australia [Robyn McClelland, Clerk Assistant (Table)]
  • Scrutinising Government Contracts: A Continuing Order for Documents [Harry Evans, Clerk of the Australian Senate]
  • The Impartiality of Deputy Speakers [François Côté and Suzanne Langevin, National Assembly of Quebec]
  • Question-Time in Congress (or why President Truman called Senator Fulbright “an over-educated Oxford son of a b… h”) [William McKay, Clerk of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)]
  • Private Business in the House of Commons: Managing the Challenges of Decline [Frank Cranmer (House of Commons, United Kingdom)]
  • Annual Comparative Study What recent steps has your assembly taken to develop the use of committees in both oversight of government and in the consideration of legislation? Have your committees been strengthened recently, and if so, how? What resources (staff and financial) are provided for them? Who participates in their work? And what future developments are under consideration?
  • Privilege Cases
  • Standing Orders
  • Other Notes
  • Unparliamentary Language
  • Sitting Days
  • Books and Videos on Parliament and Related Topics
  • Rules of the Society
  • List of Members
  • Members’ Records of Service
  • Index 1998-2002

The Table, Volume 69, 2001

  • Editorial
  • Appointments, retirements and obituaries
  • The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body: A Postcript [Frank Cranmer (House of Commons)]
  • Bringing Records Management to Westminster: A Survey of the Records of Parliament [David Prior, Assistant Clerk of the Records (House of Lords)]
  • Copyright Issues Relating to Yirrkala “Bark” Petitions [Joanne Towner, Director, Legislation and Records (House of Representatives, Australia)]
  • Remedies Against the Executive for Non-Compliance with Orders for the Production of Documents — Recent Developments in the Australian Senate [Dr. Rosemary Laing, Clerk Assistant (Procedure) (Australian Senate)]
  • Parliamentary Committees Having “Executive Functions” [Neil Laurie, Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees (Queensland Parliament)]
  • Parliamentary Privilege and Modern Communications [Neil Laurie, Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees (Queensland Parliament)]
  • Catching the Devil: The Senate’s New Rule on Disclosure of Private Financial Interests [Gary O’Brien, Deputy Clerk (Senate of Canada)]
  • Annual Comparative Study Conduct of Members: The tradition in parliaments has been that Members have been expected to act honourably and not in their own interest. To what extent have the rules in your assembly or parliament changed to ensure that this remains the case?
  • Privilege Cases
  • Standing Orders
  • Other Notes
  • Unparliamentary Language
  • Sitting Days
  • Books and videos on Parliament and Related Topics
  • Rules of the Society
  • List of Members
  • Index 1997-2001

The Table, Volume 68, 2000

  • Editorial
  • Appointments, retirements and obituaries
  • The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body: The first ten years [Frank Cranmer (House of Commons) and John Roycroft (Oireachtas Eireann)]
  • Allegations of partiality against the Speaker of New Zealand House of Representatives [David Wilson]
  • Australia: The Republic Referendum [Harry Evans, Clerk of the Australian Senate (Australia)]
  • Hereditary Peers Elections [Michael Davies, Clerk of the Parliaments, (House of Lords, United Kingdom)]
  • Parliamentary Service Act of the Commonwealth of Australia [Ian Harris, Clerk of the House of Representatives (Australia)]
  • Procedure Committee reports on community involvement in procedures and practices of the House and its Committees [Robyn Webber, Secretary, Standing Committee on Procedure (House of Representatives, Australia)]
  • A case of contempt — What might have been [L. B. Marquet, Clerk of the Legislative Council (Western Australia)]
  • New South Wales Drug Summit 1999 [Russell D. Grove, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (New South Wales)]
  • Annual Comparative Study Information for the public: What arrangements does your legislature make to inform the public about its role and its current work? Do you have an education unit and/or a press and media office? Please describe the role and staffing of these services, and any plans for their future development
  • Privilege Cases
  • Standing Orders
  • Other notes
  • Unparliamentary Language
  • Sitting Days
  • Books and Vdeos on Parliament and Related Topics
  • Book Review
  • Rules of the Society
  • List of Members
  • Records of Service
  • Index 1996-2000

The Table, Volume 67, 1999:

  • Editorial
  • Appointments, retirements and obituaries
  • The Immigration and Asylum Bill: Revival of the Special Standing Committee Procedure [Nick Walter (House of Commons, United Kingdom)]
  • Public Information, Accountability and Open Government: A snapshot of the Australian Senate 1973-1998 [Rosemary Laing (Australian Senate)]
  • Some difficulties in interpreting the Standing Orders: A view from the National Assembly of Quebec [Pierre Duchesne and Charles Bogue (Quebec)]
  • The first question of privilege [David Wilson (House of Representatives, New Zealand)]
  • More Modernisation? Recommendations of the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege of the UK Parliament 1997-99 [A. J. Hastings (House of Commons, United Kingdom)]
  • Procedural Housekeeping [Andrew Makower (House of Lords, United Kingdom)]
  • House of Lords Reform: Hereditary Peers [Michael Davies (House of Lords, United Kingdom)]
  • Annual Comparative Study: What formal role do the parliamentary parties play in the operation of the Parliament, including in particular: the management of business and preparation of the agenda, such as through a Business Committee; allocation of time to speak; voting arrangements
  • Privilege Cases
  • Standing Orders
  • Other Notes
  • Unparliamentary Language
  • Sitting Days
  • Books and Videos on Parliament and Related Topics
  • Rules of the Society
  • List of Members
  • Records of Service
  • Index 1995-99