§ 38. Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)What is her policy regarding electronic voting in divisions.[36294]
§ The President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mrs. Ann Taylor)The Modernisation Committee has recently agreed to circulate a questionnaire to hon. Members seeking their views on the current voting system and a variety of possible alternatives.
§ Mr. RobathanDid not a lot of the pressure to change the voting system come from new Members who were elected last year and imagined that they were coming into a cosy nine-to-five job, but discovered that they were expected to work rather harder? They were bemused to discover how hard they had to work. Have they not now discovered that, in the Division Lobby, they can catch the ear of Ministers—although not, of course, the ear of the Prime Minister, because he is never there—or, in our case, the ear of shadow Ministers, sadly, learn something and get the chance to lobby Ministers? Therefore, will the right hon. Lady please ensure that time-hallowed and extremely valued practices are not ditched just for the convenience of people who do not really understand?
§ Mrs. TaylorI think that the hon. Gentleman's early comments were downright insulting to new Members, who did not come here with any illusions about having a cosy nine-to-five existence. If we can improve our voting procedures, we would be foolish not to look to do so, but he will be aware—because he will have read, I am sure, our earlier reports and comments—that Modernisation Committee members think that we should retain the 20 principle of voting in or around the existing Division Lobby, even if we go towards some form of electronic voting. Having the ability to make contact with other hon. Members, be they Ministers or Back Benchers, is important. That is one element that I personally would like to see retained, as would most members of the Committee, but if we can improve the position by using some form of modern technology, that would benefit everyone.