– in the Scottish Parliament at 3:48 pm on 25 April 2024.
Alison Johnstone
Green
3:48,
25 April 2024
There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-12944, in the name of Natalie Don, on the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill, be agreed to. As this is a motion to pass a bill at stage 3, the question must be decided by Division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.
Alison Johnstone
Green
We move to the vote on motion S6M-12944, in the name of Natalie Don. Members should cast their votes now.
The vote is closed.
Craig Hoy
Conservative
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My screen has gone blank. I want to check that my vote has been accurately recorded.
Alison Johnstone
Green
I can confirm that your vote has been recorded, Mr Hoy.
I call Foysol Choudhury for a point of order. [ Interruption .] I can confirm that your vote has been recorded, Mr Choudhury.
Foysol Choudhury
Labour
Thank you very much.
Shona Robison
Scottish National Party
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am sorry, but I was not able to access the system. I would have voted yes.
Alison Johnstone
Green
Thank you, Ms Robison. We will ensure that that is recorded.
Division number 1
Decision Time
Alison Johnstone
Green
3:58,
25 April 2024
The result of the Division is: For 71, Against 49, Abstentions 0.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament agrees that the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill be passed.
Alison Johnstone
Green
That concludes decision time.
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.
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.
