§ Mr. SpeakerIt has been represented to me that, when a Count of the House is called in this present Chamber, the customary period of two minutes may be inadequate to enable all Members to reach the Chamber if they happen to be in remote parts of the building when the bells are rung. As the House is aware, soon after we moved into this Chamber an extension was permitted, with the concurrence of the House, of the time allowed for taking Divisions; and I propose for the next Session and while we occupy this Chamber to allow three minutes, that is to say an extra one minute, before counting the House and notifying the result. I make this announcement now in case any hon. Member may wish to make representations on the matter before the change is made.
§ Mr. StephenMay I ask whether the interval, if a Count is called, will remain at two minutes during the remainder of this Session?
§ Mr. SpeakerYes, it will be two minutes for the rest of this Session.
§ Mr. CocksIn the old Chamber, when a Count was called, Mr. Speaker was able to count the Members in the Lobby as well as in the House, but there is no Lobby of the same kind here. In view of that fact, may I suggest that an interval of four minutes might be better?
§ Mr. SpeakerPerhaps it would be better to see first how an interval of three minutes works.