131. Discussion of principle of Bill. - (1) On the day on which any of the motions referred to in rule 129 is made or on any subsequent day to which the discussion there of is postponed, the principles of the Bill and its general provisions may be discussed but the details of the Bill shall not be discussed further than is necessary to explain its principles.

(2) At this stage no amendments to the Bills may be moved, but-

(a) if the member-in-charge moves that his Bill be taken into consideration, any member may move as an amendment that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee or be circulated for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon by a date to be specified in the motion :

(b) if the member in-charge moves that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee any member may move as an amendment that it be circulated for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon by date to be specified in the motion :

Provided that if an amendment or a motion for appointment of a Select Committee has been moved under this sub-rule, any member may move that the Assembly give instructions to the Select Committee to which the Bill has been referred to make particular or additional provision in the Bill and if necessary or convenient to consider an report on amendments which may be proposed to the original Act which the Bill seeks to amend.

(3) Where a motion that a Bill be circulated for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon is carried, and the Bill is circulated in accordance with that direction and opinions are received thereon, the member-in-charge, if he wishes to proceed with his Bill thereafter, must move that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee unless the Speaker in the exercise of his power to suspend this rule allows a motion to be made that the Bill be taken into consideration.