§ Order for Third Reading read.
9.36 am§ Mr. Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne)rose—
§ Mr. George Galloway (Glasgow, Hillhead)On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I spy strangers.
§ Notice having been taken that strangers were present, MADAM SPEAKER, pursuant to Standing Order No. 143 (Withdrawal of Strangers from House), put forthwith the Question, That strangers do withdraw.
§ The House proceeded to a Division:—
§ Mr. John Austin-Walker (Woolwich)(seated and covered): On a point of order, Madam Speaker. May I inquire what is happening to our proceedings given that more than eight minutes has elapsed since the Division Bell rang?
§ Madam SpeakerYes. It has been brought to my attention that the Division bells at Carriage Gates are not working, and the police are not aware that a Division is on. I have therefore allowed another two minutes for the Division, so that Members who wish to vote may do so.
§ The House having divided: Ayes Nil, Noes 20.
| Division No. 86] | [9.37 am |
| AYES | |
| Tellers for the Ayes: | |
| Mr. Dennis Skinner and Mr. George Galloway. |
| NOES | |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mth E) | Luff, Peter |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | MacKay, Andrew |
| Chapman, Sir Sydney | Maitland, Lady Olga |
| Congdon, David | Smith, Tim (Beaconsf'ld) |
| Conway, Derek | Spink, Dr Robert |
| Cormack, Sir Patrick | Thompson, Sir Donald (Calder V) |
| Evans, Nigel (Ribble V) | Waller, Gary |
| Fabricant, Michael | Waterson, Nigel |
| Forsyth, Rt Hon Michael (Stirling) | |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) | Mr. Timothy Wood and |
| Kirkhope, Timothy | Mr. Richard Ottaway. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.
§ It appearing from the report of the Division that 40 Members were not present, MADAM SPEAKER declared that the business under consideration stood over till the next Sitting.
§ Mr. WatersonOn a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can you confirm that, as a result of that procedural vote, 528 the Bill is unlikely to make further progress this Session? Can you also help me to understand the mysterious absence of the Labour party in the No Lobby, despite the protestations of support for my Bill from the Opposition Front Bench?
§ Madam SpeakerOn the hon. Gentleman's second point, it is not for me to know who goes into the Division Lobbies—that is not my business. As far as I know, the hon. Gentleman has every opportunity to make progress on his Bill on another occasion.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. It should also be apparent that, on the morning following the remarkable Wirral, South by-election victory, the Government, whose Bill it really is, were unable to muster more than 20 Members in the Lobby. That is indicative of a Government who are not only incapable of winning by-elections, but—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. That has nothing to do with a point of order.
§ Mrs. Audrey Wise (Preston)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I checked the annunciator screen yesterday, and this Bill was not mentioned. That misled me greatly, and I had to make inquiries to discover the business. What can be done to ensure that the annunciator screen gives hon. Members the correct information?
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Lady is quite right. The Bill appeared among the Orders of the Day. Every day it has, quite properly, appeared among the remaining Orders of the Day.
§ Mrs. WiseFurther to that point of order, Madam Speaker. Appearing among the remaining Orders of the Day is not sufficient to alert hon. Members to the fact that the Bill is to be the first business of the morning. Can steps be taken to ensure that the annunciator screen gives the proper information?
§ Madam SpeakerI think that hon. Members must be alert to the business of the House.
§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Does it not serve the Government right? I took a slightly different view, and did not sign the motion of my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galloway), but the proposal should have come, not from the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson), but in a statement from the Home Secretary—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. That is not a point of order for me. We must proceed with our business.