Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Lord Trefgarne Excerpts

Monday 17th January 2011 Lords Chamber

Moved by

[Lord Trefgarne]

That the Question be now put.

[Lord Trefgarne]

My Lords, I have listened to a number of speeches this evening. Many of them are an abuse of the procedures of this House and others have been demeaning to this House in the face of a wider public. Therefore, with the utmost regret, I beg to move that the Question be now put.

[The Lord Speaker (Baroness Hayman)]

My Lords, the Companion is very clear as to the procedure when a Motion that the Question be now put is moved. It instructs me to read to the House in the following terms:

“I am instructed by order of the House to say that the motion ‘That the Question be now put’ is considered to be a most exceptional procedure and the House will not accept it save in circumstances where it is felt to be the only means of ensuring the proper conduct of the business of the House; further, if a member who seeks to move it persists in his intention, the practice of the House is that the Question on the motion is put without debate”.

I therefore have to ask the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, whether, in the light of that advice from the Companion, he wishes to persist in his intention.

[Lord Trefgarne]

My Lords, I do so insist.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Trefgarne]

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord complained that I had brought the debate to a close. I did nothing of the sort; the House did.