What is the purpose of laying a motion on the table?

Laying a motion on the table serves the specific purpose of temporarily setting aside the current motion so that more urgent or important business can be addressed. This parliamentary procedure is often utilized in meetings to ensure that pressing issues are dealt with without delaying the meeting unnecessarily. By tabling a motion, the group can prioritize its agenda and ensure that critical matters are discussed promptly. This mechanism helps maintain the flow of the meeting and effectively manage time, making it an essential tool in decision-making processes within organizations.

The other options relate to different aspects of parliamentary procedure but do not accurately capture the essence of laying a motion on the table. Changing the meeting agenda involves a different process, while ending a meeting early does not apply to temporarily setting aside a motion. Allowing for group discussion might occur in various contexts but isn't the primary function of this particular action.