Arrangement of Business
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)
My Lords, before we move on to other business, the House will be aware that we have a number of votes planned today across three items of business. To make things run as smoothly as possible during Divisions, I ask noble Lords to please observe the following. As the House divides, we need both “Content” and “Not content” said loudly and clearly, and again at three minutes, when the Lord Speaker or the Deputy Speaker calls from the Woolsack. Particularly for the second time, this must be heard by the clerks for the Division to continue.
If noble Lords have any questions about voting or other problems, or issues with their pass, they should go to the Table Office before Third Reading on the data Bill starts, and the staff there will do everything possible to help them sort out the problem—or they can go to their party Whip or the Convenor’s office. Please do not come to the clerks at the Table during the vote. They have important work to do during the Division and they should not be distracted. That also creates a jam, where Members cannot actually vote, which delays the voting.
I ask noble Lords to remember also that, when they go to vote and are walking, the microphones are still on and the business is being recorded. When they enter the Division Lobbies, they should press their pass firmly on the card reader to make sure that they have voted. Some of the recent votes have been very close. I am sure that no noble Lord wants to be the one person who lost it for their side because they did not touch the reader properly.
After noble Lords have voted and passed by the Whips, they should either come back into the Chamber or leave the Lobby, arriving at Peers’ Entrance or the Prince’s Chamber. Please try to avoid standing behind the Whips and having conversations. It slows down the flow of other Members and makes the Division longer and more difficult.
I hope this is helpful to the House. If these simple points are followed, it will make things much easier for all noble Lords in the House during Divisions.