Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:52,
12 September 2023
That brings us to voting time, and unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, we will proceed directly to voting time. And the first vote this afternoon is on the LCM on the Energy Bill.
Before I open the vote, I will just pause for a moment to ensure that all Members in the Chamber are able to vote. [Interruption.] Yes, there are some technical issues in the Chamber at the moment, so we will just pause for a moment.
For those in the Chamber, can you identify yourselves if you do have a problem?
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:53,
12 September 2023
Who's got a problem in the Chamber? If you can show by—. Problem? Yes, lots of problems. I know you have lots of problems. Anybody with a problem in being able to cast their vote in the next few seconds, anybody need to indicate, other than those of you who already have technical support?
[Inaudible.]—the power of the oral vote at this point, so I'm minded to move on and allow the oral vote for, I think, three Members in the Chamber. No, maybe we're down to two Members in the Chamber. So, the first vote then—. Yes. The first vote, then, will be on the legislative consent motion on the Energy Bill. So, I call for a vote on that motion in the name of Julie James.
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 16, no abstentions, and 36 against. And therefore, the LCM is agreed.
The next vote is on the—[Interruption.]
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:55,
12 September 2023
It's obviously the first day back for more than one of us. [Laughter.]
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
So, the LCM on the Energy Bill is not agreed, with 16 in favour and 36 against. So, the motion is not agreed.
Division number 4546
Item 7. LCM on the Energy Bill
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:55,
12 September 2023
We will now move on to the LCM on the Non-Domestic Rating Bill. I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Rebecca Evans. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 42, no abstentions, 10 against. And therefore, that LCM is agreed.
Division number 4547
Item 8. LCM on the Non-Domestic Ratings Bill
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:56,
12 September 2023
The next and final vote is on the general principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill. I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Lee Waters. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 37, no abstentions, 15 against. And therefore, the motion is agreed.
Division number 4548
Item 8. Debate on the General Principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:57,
12 September 2023
That concludes our work for this afternoon. Thank you all very much.
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.
