Legal Definitions - call the question

Definition: Call the question is a term used in parliamentary law. It refers to the act of a member moving to close debate or an assembly adopting a motion to close debate.

Example: During a meeting, a member may feel that enough discussion has taken place on a particular topic and may move to call the question. This means that they are requesting that the assembly vote on whether or not to end the debate and move on to voting on the issue at hand.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a member can use the term "call the question" to bring an end to a debate and move on to voting. This is a common practice in parliamentary procedure to ensure that meetings run efficiently and that decisions can be made in a timely manner.