European Communities

Opposition Day – in the House of Commons at 10:43 pm on 24 January 2001.

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That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (The Convention on Mutual Assistance and Co-operation between Customs Administrations (Naples II)) Order 2001, which was laid before this House on 14th December, be approved.
The House divided: Ayes 425, Noes 8

Division No. 83]
AYES
Abbott, Ms DianeClark, Dr Michael (Rayleigh)
Adams, Mrs Irene (Paisley N)Clarke, Charles (Norwich S)
Ainger, NickClelland, David
Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey)Clifton- Brown, Geoffrey
Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)Coffey, Ms Ann
Allan, RichardColeman, Iain
Allen, GrahamCollins, Tim
Amess, DavidColman, Tony
Ancram, Rt Hon MichaelConnary, Michael
Anderson, Rt Hon Donald (Swansea E)Cook, Frank (Stockton N)
Cook, Rt Hon Robin (Livingston)
Anderson, Janet (Rossendale)Cooper, Yvette
Arbuthnot, Rt Hon JamesCorbett, Robin
Ashdown, Rt Hon PaddyCorbyn, Jeremy
Atherton, Ms CandyCormack, Sir Patrick
Atkins, CharlotteCousins, Jim
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)Cran, James
Bailey, AdrianCrausby, David
Baldry, TonyCummings, John
Ballard, JackieCurry, Rt Hon David
Banks, TonyCurtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire
Barron, KevinDarling, Rt Hon Alistair
Bayley, HughDarvill, Keith
Beard, NigelDavey, Valerie (Bristol W)
Beckett, Rt Hon Mrs MargaretDavidson, Ian
Begg, Miss AnneDavies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)
Beith, Rt Hon A JDavies, Geraint (Croydon C)
Bell, Martin (Tatton)Davies, Quentin (Grantham)
Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough)Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice)
Benn, Hilary (Leeds C)Dawson, Hilton
Bennett, Andrew FDay, Stephen
Benton, JoeDean, Mrs Janet
Bercow, JohnDenham, John
Beresford, Sir PaulDismore, Andrew
Bermingham, GeraldDobbin, Jim
Berry, RogerDonohoe, Brian H
Betts, CliveDoran, Frank
Blackman, LizDowd, Jim
Blair, Rt Hon TonyDrew, David
Blears, Ms HazelDrown, Ms Julia
Blizzard, BobDuncan, Alan
Blunkett, Rt Hon DavidDunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth
Blunt, CrispinEagle, Maria (L'pool Garston)
Borrow, DavidEdwards, Huw
Boswell, TimEfford, Clive
Bottomley, Rt Hon Mrs VirginiaEllman, Mrs Louise
Bradley, Keith (Withington)Emery, Rt Hon Sir Peter
Bradshaw, BenEnnis, Jeff
Brand, Dr PeterEvans, Nigel
Brazier, JulianEwing, Mrs Margaret
Breed, ColinFabricant, Michael
Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E)Fallon, Michael
Brown, Russell (Dumfries)Fearn, Ronnie
Burden, RichardFitzpatrick, Jim
Burnett, JohnFitzsimons, Mrs Lorna
Burns, SimonFlight, Howard
Burstow, PaulFlint, Caroline
Butterfill, JohnFoster, Rt Hon Derek
Byers, Rt Hon StephenFoster, Don (Bath)
Cable, Dr VincentFoster, Michael Jabez (Hastings)
Caborn, Rt Hon RichardFoster, Michael J (Worcester)
Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge)Fox, Dr Liam
Campbell, Rt Hon Menzies (NE Fife)Fraser, Christopher
Gale, Roger
Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V)Galloway, George
Campbell-Savours, DaleGapes, Mike
Caplin, IvorGardiner, Barry
Casale, RogerGarnier, Edward
Caton, MartinGeorge, Andrew (St Ives)
Cawsey, IanGibson, Dr Ian
Chope, ChristopherGidley, Sandra
Clapham, MichaelGillan, Mrs Cheryl
Clappison, JamesGilroy, Mrs Linda
Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields)Godsiff, Roger
Goggins, PaulKumar, Dr Ashok
Golding, Mrs LlinLadyman, Dr Stephen
Gorman, Mrs TeresaLaing, Mrs Eleanor
Gray, JamesLait, Mrs Jacqui
Green, DamianLammy, David
Greenway, JohnLansley, Andrew
Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)Lawrence, Mrs Jackie
Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)Leigh, Edward
Grocott, BruceLepper, David
Grogan, JohnLeslie, Christopher
Gummer, Rt Hon JohnLetwin, Oliver
Hain, PeterLevitt, Tom
Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)Lewis, Ivan (Bury S)
Hall, Patrick (Bedford)Lewis, Dr Julian (New Forest E)
Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir ArchieLewis, Terry (Worsley)
Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE)Liddell, Rt Hon Mrs Helen
Hammond, PhilipLidington, David
Hanson, DavidLilley, Rt Hon Peter
Harman, Rt Hon Ms HarrietLinton, Martin
Harris, Dr EvanLock, David
Harvey, NickLove, Andrew
Hawkins, NickLuff, Peter
Heald, OliverLyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas
Healey, JohnMcAvoy, Thomas
Heath, David (Somerton & Frome)McCafferty, Ms Chris
Heathcoat-Amory, Rt Hon DavidMcCartney, Rt Hon Ian (Makerfield)
Henderson, Ivan (Harwich)
Hendrick, MarkMacdonald, Calum
Hepburn, StephenMcDonnell, John
Hesford, StephenMcFall, John
Hewitt, Ms PatriciaMcGrady, Eddie
Hill, KeithMacGregor, Rt Hon John
Hodge, Ms MargaretMcIsaac, Shona
Hoey, KateMacKay, Rt Hon Andrew
Hoon, Rt Hon GeoffreyMackinlay, Andrew
Hope, PhilMaclennan, Rt Hon Robert
Hopkins, KelvinMcLoughlin, Patrick
Howard, Rt Hon MichaelMcNulty, Tony
Howarth, Rt Hon Alan (Newport E)MacShane, Denis
Howarth, George (Knowsley N)Mactaggart, Fiona
Howells, Dr KimMcWalter, Tony
Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)McWilliam, John
Hughes, Simon (Southwark N)Madel, Sir David
Humble, Mrs JoanMahon, Mrs Alice
Hutton, JohnMallaber, Judy
Iddon, Dr BrianMaples, John
Illsley, EricMarsden, Gordon (Blackpool S)
Ingram, Rt Hon AdamMarshall, David (Shettleston)
Jack, Rt Hon MichaelMarshall-Andrews, Robert
Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead)Mates, Michael
Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough)Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian
Jamieson, DavidMaxton, John
Jenkins, BrianMay, Mrs Theresa
Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle)Meacher, Rt Hon Michael
Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield)Merron, Gillian
Michael, Rt Hon Alun
Johnson Smith, Rt Hon Sir GeoffreyMichie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley)
Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute)
Jones, Rt Hon Barry (Alyn)Milburn, Rt Hon Alan
Jones, Helen (Warrington N)Miller, Andrew
Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)Mitchell, Austin
Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham)Moffatt, Laura
Joyce, EricMoonie, Dr Lewis
Keeble, Ms SallyMoore, Michael
Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston)Moran, Ms Margaret
Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth)Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N)
Keetch, PaulMorley, Elliot
Kennedy, Rt Hon Charles (Ross Skye & Inverness W)Morris, Rt Hon Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley)
Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree)Mountford, Kali
Key, RobertMowlam, Rt Hon Marjorie
Khabra, Piara SMudie, George
Kidney, DavidMullin, Chris
Kilfoyle, PeterMurphy, Denis (Wansbeck)
King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth)Naysmith, Dr Doug
Kirkbride, Miss JulieNorman, Archie
Norrs, DanRowlands, Ted
Oaten, MarkRoy, Frank
O'Brien, Bill (Normanton)Ruane, Chris
O'Brien, Stephen (Eddisbury)Ruddock, Joan
Olner, BillRuffley, David
O'Neill, MartinRussell, Bob (Colchester)
Öpik, LembitSt Aubyn, Nick
Ottaway, RichardSanders, Adrian
Page, RichardSarwar, Mohammad
Paice, JamesSawford, Phil
Palmer, Dr NickSayeed, Jonathan
Pearson, IanShaw, Jonathan
Pickles, EricSheldon, Rt Hon Robert
Pickthall, ColinShephard, Rt Hon Mrs Gillian
Pike, Peter LShort, Rt Hon Clare
Pond, ChrisSimpson, Alan (Nottingham S)
Pope, GregSimpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk)
Portillo, Rt Hon MichaelSkinner, Dennis
Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E)Smith, Angela (Basildon)
Prentice, Gordon (Pendle)Smith, Rt Hon Chris (Islington S)
Primarolo, DawnSmith, Jacqui (Redditch)
Prior, DavidSmith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)
Prosser, GwynSmith, Sir Robert (WAb'd'ns)
Purchase, KenSmyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S)
Quinn, LawrieSoames, Nicholas
Rammell, BillSouthworth, Ms Helen
Randall, JohnSpellar, John
Raynsford, NickSpelman, Mrs Caroline
Robertson, John (Glasgow Anniesland)Spicer, Sir Michael
Spring, Richard
Robertson, Laurence (Tewk'b'ry)Squire, Ms Rachel
Robinson, Geoffrey (Cov'try NW)Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John
Roche, Mrs BarbaraStarkey, Dr Phyllis
Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne)Steinberg, Gerry
Rooker, Rt Hon JeffStewart, David (Invernness E)
Rooney, TerryStewart, Ian (Eccles)
Ross, Ernie (Dundee W)Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin
Rowe, Andrew (Faversham)Straw, Rt Hon Jack
Streeter, GaryWalter, Robert
Stuart, Ms GiselaWaterson, Nigel
Stunell, AndrewWatts, David
Sutcliffe, GerryWebb, Steve
Swayne, DesmondWells, Bowen
Syms, RobertWhite, Brian
Tapsell, Sir PeterWhitney, Sir Raymond
Taylor, David (NW Leics)Whittingdale, John
Taylor, Ian (Esher & Walton)Wicks, Malcolm
Taylor, John M (Solihull)Widdecombe, Rt Hon Miss Ann
Taylor, Matthew (Truro)Wigley, Rt Hon Dafydd
Temple-Morris, PeterWilletts, David
Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W)Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W)
Timms, Stephen
Todd, MarkWilliams, Alan W (E Carmarthen)
Tonge, Dr JennyWilliams, Mrs Betty (Conwy)
Touhig, DonWillis, Phil
Tredinnick, DavidWills, Michael
Trend, MichaelWilson, Brian
Trickett, JonWinnick, David
Truswell, PaulWinterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)
Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE)Wood, Mike
Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk)Woolas, Phil
Turner, Neil (Wigan)Worthington, Tony
Twigg, Stephen (Enfield)Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth)
Tyler, PaulWright, Tony (Cannock)
Tynan, BillWyatt, Derek
Tyrie, AndrewYeo, Tim
Viggers, PeterYoung, Rt Hon Sir George
NOES
Browning, Mrs AngelaRedwood, Rt Hon John
Hogg, Rt Hon DouglasShepherd, Richard
Hunter, AndrewTaylor, Sir Teddy
McCrea, Dr WilliamWinterton, Nicholas (Macclesfield)

Question accordingly agreed to.

Opposition

The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".

Division

The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.