Perhaps it would be helpful if I explain why I wish to move amendment 6.

No, that would not be appropriate.

Amendment 6 moved—[Brian Adam].

The question is, that amendment 6 be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members:

No.

There will be a division.

Division number 2

For: Adam, Brian, Baillie, Jackie, Ballard, Mark, Barrie, Scott, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Frances, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Fabiani, Linda, Fox, Colin, Gillon, Karen, Godman, Trish, Gordon, Mr Charlie, Grahame, Christine, Henry, Hugh, Hughes, Janis, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jamieson, Margaret, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Maclean, Kate, Martin, Campbell, Martin, Paul, McAveety, Mr Frank, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Murray, Dr Elaine, Peattie, Cathy, Ruskell, Mr Mark, Scott, Eleanor, Sheridan, Tommy, Sturgeon, Nicola, Watt, Ms Maureen, Wilson, Allan
Against: Aitken, Bill, Brankin, Rhona, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Brown, Robert, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Finnie, Ross, Fraser, Murdo, Gibson, Rob, Glen, Marlyn, Home Robertson, John, Hyslop, Fiona, Marwick, Tricia, Mather, Jim, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McMahon, Michael, McNeill, Pauline, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Petrie, Mr Dave, Rumbles, Mike, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Elaine, Smith, Iain, Wallace, Mr Jim, Welsh, Mr Andrew
Abstentions: Harper, Robin, Harvie, Patrick

The result of the division is: For 40, Against 28, Abstentions 2.

Amendment 6 agreed to.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I know that it is not normal procedure, but given the unusual circumstances it might have been helpful to have offered a small explanation of the nature of amendment 6, which is purely technical. I do not think that there are any more amendments like that, but should there be I crave your indulgence to give such an explanation. Amendment 6 is totally non-contentious, but judging from the vote members thought that it was contentious.

When someone speaks to their amendments it is usual for them to take advantage of the opportunity to point out such matters. However, if similar situations recur this afternoon, in certain circumstances it might be helpful for members to point out when they move their amendments whether the amendments are technical or consequential.