Which guideline is part of parliamentary debate to keep discussion focused?

• A. Direct all remarks to the presiding officer.
• B. Speak as long as you want without regard to the topic
• C. Address remarks to other members by name
• D. Criticize the motives of participants

Answer: (B)

In parliamentary debate, directing all remarks to the presiding officer helps keep discussion focused. When you speak to the chair, the meeting stays orderly because the chair manages whose turn it is to speak, enforces time limits, and clarifies points for everyone. This keeps the conversation on the motion or issue at hand and prevents side conversations or off-topic ramblings.

The other practices derail focus: speaking without regard to topic leads to long, irrelevant digressions; addressing remarks to individual members by name can provoke interruptions and personal disputes; criticizing motives shifts attention from the issue to personalities and erodes decorum.