Oral Answers to Questions — Post Office. – in the House of Commons at on 14 September 1931.
Sir Basil Peto
, Barnstaple
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government intend to proceed with the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Bill during the present Session of Parliament?
Sir Basil Peto
, Barnstaple
Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take into consideration the fact that Clause 29 of this Measure is highly contentious with regard to helm orders; and, if it is proposed to go through with the Measure in the House, will he ask his right hon. Friend to consider giving a free vote, at any rate, on this Clause?
A vote where members are not obliged to support their party's position, and can vote however they choose. This is the opposite to a whipped vote. It is customary for parties to provide a free vote for legislation dealing with matters of conscience.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
