What is the purpose of a motion to lay on the table?

The purpose of a motion to lay on the table is to temporarily set aside a current matter or question, often in order to address more urgent business or to allow for additional information to be gathered before proceeding. This motion does not serve to end the debate permanently; rather, it puts the discussion on hold. Choosing to postpone a question indefinitely aligns well with this understanding, as it allows the assembly to tackle other pressing agenda items while creating the possibility for the debated topic to be revisited later, pending interest or necessity. By doing so, it clears the way for immediate priorities without dismissing the original topic altogether.