Procedure and Privileges

Lord McFall of Alcluith Excerpts

Tuesday 13th July 2021 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

The question will be decided by a remote Division. I instruct the clerk to start a remote Division.

The remote voting period is now open. Members are now invited to record their votes using the remote voting system. Members will have 10 minutes to record their votes. I will make an announcement when the remote voting period has ended. Clear the Bar.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

My Lords, as noble Lords are aware, there were technical problems with the Division system, but I am told it is now functioning so I will extend the Division by three minutes.

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

Can I just check with the Lord Speaker: if people have already voted, is that taken as a vote? Is there a way of putting the extension on the screen, and extending it for more than three minutes, as a number of Members have left the Chamber thinking they were unable to vote? I am not convinced that an extra three minutes is long enough.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

The votes of those who have voted will be recorded. Why do we not go for 10 minutes? Is that okay? Very good.

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

Can a message be put on the screen that the vote is still open for the next 10 minutes, please?

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

Point taken.