Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2021 to Question 136483 on Remote Divisions, what information the Commission holds on how many hon. Members were (a) unable to use the electronic method of voting and (b) used the back-up system provided for electronic voting during the two weeks that electronic voting was used in the House of Commons in 2020; what discussions the Commission has had with the Leader of the House on electronic voting in the House of Commons during the period of the national covid-19 lockdown that has been in place since January 2021 to help prevent the transmission of covid-19; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Pete Wishart
Electronic voting was used for 10 divisions between 12 May and 20 May inclusive. Members voted using MemberHub. The Public Bill Office operated a back-up system: if a Member could not register their vote using MemberHub, they contacted the Public Bill Office during the division and their vote was recorded. The table below shows how many Members registered their vote using the back-up method, and the total number of votes cast in each division.
Date | Division number | Total votes cast | Votes cast using back-up system |
12 May 2020 | 41 | 611 | 2 |
13 May 2020 | 42 | 605 | 4 |
| 43 | 574 | 6 |
| 44 | 419 | 6 |
| 45 | 571 | 3 |
18 May 2020 | 46 | 603 | 1 |
20 May 2020 | 47 | 608 | 3 |
| 48 | 614 | 2 |
| 49 | 609 | 2 |
| 50 | 585 | 2 |
The Commission received an update on the House Service’s response to the pandemic at its meeting on 11 January, and agreed a number of measures to further improve the safety of people on the Parliamentary estate. Electronic voting was raised at the meeting, and there is a range of views among Commissioners on this issue. However, the means by which Divisions are conducted are ultimately a matter for the House to determine.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2021 to Question 133774 on Divisions: Electronic Voting, how many hon. Members were (a) unable to use the electronic method of voting and (b) used the back-up system provided for electronic voting during the two weeks that electronic voting was used in the House of Commons in 2020; what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the House of Lords on the operation of electronic voting in that chamber; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
I refer the hon. member to my previous answer (133774), it is the Government’s view that the current arrangements for proxy voting are a better alternative to a system of remote voting. Details regarding the operation and use of the electronic voting system is not a matter for the Government but one for the House.
I have regular meetings with the Leader of the House of Lords. However, what is considered suitable for the House of Lords is not always suitable for the House of Commons and as I have said before, it is essential to strike the balance between facilitating virtual participation and allowing scrutiny and legislation to continue.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, whether he has requested data from party whips on the number of backbench votes being cast by individual party whips during proxy voting in the House of Commons; whether he has made an assessment of the effect on (a) scrutiny of the Government by backbench hon. Members and (b) the power of whips over voting decisions of backbench hon. Members of (i) continuing with the proxy voting system and (ii) allowing hon. Members to vote remotely in divisions during the January 20221 covid-19 lockdown restrictions; if he will make it his policy to reinstate electronic voting in divisions for the duration of the national lockdown period; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
It is the Government’s view that the current arrangements for proxy voting are working well and are a better alternative to remote voting. Details of all proxy votes are readily available through the House service to all members and the public. Proxy voting has significantly reduced the overall number of people who are required to vote in person in the division lobbies and it is also flexible as members can choose their own proxy, irrespective of party. This strikes the right balance between ensuring a robust form of physical voting, which is not dependent on technology and individual members’ wifi connections, while ensuring that very few members have to vote in person, thus ensuring safety.
It is vital that members' votes are cast in accordance with their individual will and, as set out in the proxy voting scheme agreed by the House, members who are eligible to vote by proxy must agree with the member nominated as their proxy when the proxy vote will be cast and how it will be exercised. The member designated as a proxy is expected to act in strict accordance with the instruction given by the absent member, ensuring the voting decisions of backbench members are upheld.
The Government has taken a number of actions to ensure that MPs can work from home more readily where possible. Measures are in place in both Houses, including virtual participation in all Chamber proceedings and as we have said throughout the pandemic, the Government continues to keep the approach in Parliament under review.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, whether he has made an assessment of the effect on the transmission of covid-19 of providing additional ways for hon. Members to work from home during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown restrictions; if he will take steps to allow hon. Member to (a) contribute remotely to debates in Westminster Hall and (b) vote remotely in divisions during that period; whether he has asked Public Health England for advice on the effect on the transmission of covid-19 of hon. Members travelling to and from their constituencies to Westminster during that period; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
It is the Government’s view that we best serve our constituents when we are here in Westminster, carrying out our essential functions. At a time when the nation is dealing with the widespread impacts of coronavirus, this work could not be more important. The House authorities have worked hard to put in place robust and effective measures to ensure that the House of Commons is a covid-secure workplace and all Members should follow the government’s guidance when travelling to Parliament.
In October, the House took the decision to extend the current arrangements for virtual participation to March 2021 and ensured that people who cannot be here for a range of reasons can vote by proxy and participate in interrogative proceedings. This was agreed without debate and without division. The hon. Member asks specifically about Westminster Hall and remote voting. Technical limitations meant it was only possible to resume business in Westminster Hall last month. However, the Government's understanding is that, owing to House capacity constraints, it is not currently possible to extend Westminster Hall debates to Members participating virtually. On remote voting, in the context of a physical return of Parliament, not returning to physical voting would be a significant anomaly and I welcome the House’s agreement to the new voting system, which is an effective way of managing safe physical voting.
The Government is sympathetic to those Members who are currently unable to participate in some aspects of our proceedings. However, the Government has done everything it can to mitigate that, including a wide scale roll out of proxy voting and providing for remote participation in scrutiny proceedings, including select committees. In addition, I am working with the House authorities to see how we can support additional virtual participation in the Commons for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
The Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration has been given to implementing arrangements for Members of the House of Lords to vote in person in divisions in line with the method used by the House of Commons on 2 June.
Answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith
In late March arrangements were made for members to vote in the Royal Gallery, allowing for social distancing, should the need for a division arise. Use of these temporary arrangements was not ultimately required. The Procedure Committee and the House agreed to concentrate on the development of electronic voting facilities, given the high number of members who are currently unable to attend Westminster and are required to participate remotely in the business of the House. Operation of the electronic voting system commenced on 15 June and is to be used by all members whether remote or on the Estate. Engagement with the remote voting system has been extremely good. These arrangements will be kept under review by the Procedure Committee, which continues to meet regularly.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will make it his policy to utilise the e-voting system previously used by hon. Members during hybrid proceedings for the process of holding deferred divisions; what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the use of paper for deferred divisions on the transmission of covid-19; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
The introduction of remote voting dealt with the particular circumstances we faced at the time. It was only ever agreed as a temporary measure during an emergency, and any long term changes should be a decision for the House following an inquiry by the Procedure Committee. In the context of a physical return of Parliament, not returning to physical voting would be a significant anomaly and I welcome the House’s agreement to the Government’s approach. The Government is working closely with the Speaker and House Authorities on how voting works in practice, whether that is for live or deferred divisions. I hope I can assure the Hon. Lady that the House authorities are completing this work in consultation with Public Health England to ensure it is in line with public health advice.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2020 to Question 1936, Prisons: Industrial Health and Safety, what the timeframe is for the completion of the configuration to enable online recording from remote locations.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
We are currently considering the possibility of allowing reporting via internet enabled mobile devices and any device with a web connection. If fully implemented this will mean that intranet connected hardware would not be required. In order to assess the viability of wider implementation remote/mobile reporting capability will be piloted in two probation divisions this Spring.
Systems are already in place to enable non-directly employed workers access reporting and recording. The use of the proposed online system for this purpose will also be considered in the review of this pilot.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2020 to Question 1936, Prisons: Industrial Health and Safety, at what remote locations an intranet connection is available.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
We are currently considering the possibility of allowing reporting via internet enabled mobile devices and any device with a web connection. If fully implemented this will mean that intranet connected hardware would not be required. In order to assess the viability of wider implementation remote/mobile reporting capability will be piloted in two probation divisions this Spring.
Systems are already in place to enable non-directly employed workers access reporting and recording. The use of the proposed online system for this purpose will also be considered in the review of this pilot.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2020 to Question 1936, Prisons: Industrial Health and Safety, whether non-directly employed workers will have access to online recording from remote locations.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
We are currently considering the possibility of allowing reporting via internet enabled mobile devices and any device with a web connection. If fully implemented this will mean that intranet connected hardware would not be required. In order to assess the viability of wider implementation remote/mobile reporting capability will be piloted in two probation divisions this Spring.
Systems are already in place to enable non-directly employed workers access reporting and recording. The use of the proposed online system for this purpose will also be considered in the review of this pilot.