HL Deb 14 June 1979 vol 400 cc800-2

7.33 p.m.

The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I should like to make a Statement in relation to the Division which took place earlier today on the Second Reading of the Marriage (Enabling) Bill. I have consulted the four Tellers concerned and they have jointly authorised me to say that the figures were inadvertently reversed when the result of the Division was made known. They should have been as follows: Contents, 50; Not-Contents, 56. Accordingly, the Second Reading of the Bill was not agreed to but negatived.

Lord DE CLIFFORD

My Lords, before the noble Lord sits down, can he tell me if and when an occasion like this has arisen before? I have been some time in your Lordships' House—some 50 years—and it would be interesting to know.

Lord ABERDARE

My Lords, to the best of my knowledge, there have been occasions when the figures have been incorrect; but I do not know of a case where the figures have been incorrect and have resulted in a change in the way in which the Bill has been treated.

Lord MISHCON

My Lords, may I ask whether there is not some constitutional point involved? It having been declared from the Chair that the Second Reading had been passed and the House having, so far as certain Members are concerned, been assured that that was so, is it not correct, that announcement having been made, that it cannot now be corrected?

Lord ABERDARE

My Lords, I should not like to be dogmatic at this point about what the noble Lord said. I can only say that the figures have been checked very carefully and that the result of your Lordships' voting was as I have now announced.

Lord MISHCON

My Lords, may I further ask—and I promise not to ask anything more—whether the constitutional point can be looked into, so that the House may be satisfied whether, the announcement having been made that the Second Reading was passed, that announcement does not stand?

Lord ABERDARE

My Lords, I will certainly draw this to the attention of those concerned.