– in the Scottish Parliament at 5:52 pm on 20 May 2025.
Alison Johnstone
Green
5:52,
20 May 2025
There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business.
The question is, that motion S6M-17584, in the name of Siobhian Brown, on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, be agreed to. As it is a motion to pass the bill, the question must be decided by Division. Members should cast their vote now.
The vote is closed.
Marie McNair
Scottish National Party
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not refresh. I would have voted yes.
Alison Johnstone
Green
We will ensure that that is recorded.
Pauline McNeill
Labour
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had the same issue. My app would not refresh. I would have voted yes.
Alison Johnstone
Green
We will ensure that that is recorded.
Clare Adamson
Scottish National Party
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes.
Alison Johnstone
Green
We will ensure that that is recorded.
I understand that Stephanie Callaghan wished to make a point of order, but I can confirm that her vote has been recorded.
Division number 8
Decision Time
Alison Johnstone
Green
5:52,
20 May 2025
The result of the Division on motion S6M-17584, in the name of Siobhian Brown, on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, is: For 88, Against 26, Abstentions 0.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament agrees that the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill be passed.
Alison Johnstone
Green
That concludes decision time.
Members’ business will be published tomorrow, 21 May 2025, as soon as the text is available.
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.
