§ Mr. SpeakerI wish to make a brief reference to the casting votes given by Mr. Deputy Speaker and myself yesterday, particularly as similar situations may arise in the near future.
It is being widely said that in accordance with precedent we gave our casting votes for the Government. That might, quite unintentionally, be misleading. In accordance with precedent we gave our casting votes for the Bill as it had come to the House from the Standing Committee and against the proposed amendments, the proposed changes.
We would have done exactly the same had the amendments been Government amendments, and on a tie we would have voted against them. To carry an amendment or, indeed, finally, a Bill, there must be a substantive majority and not a casting vote.