– in a Public Bill Committee at on 10 February 2004.
John Butterfill
Conservative, Bournemouth West
9:30,
10 February 2004
May I point out to hon. Members that they should not rely on the time shown on the clock, which is at least four minutes out? I suggest that people look at the Annunciator screens if they want to know the correct time—I hope that that displays the correct time.Clause 21 Scope of emergency regulations
MPs and peers who want to know what is being discussed in either the Commons or the Lords at any given moment can find out by watching the annunciators.
These are not individuals but television screens that are situated throughout the parliamentary buildings, in corridors and offices.
Apart from the time, they display written details of the business under discussion including the names of members participating in debates.
The annunciators also warn members when a division is about to take place.
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.
