Business of the House -- Programme motion — 15 Jun 2010 at 17:26

The majority of MPs voted in favour of setting a time limit ensuring that a range of motions relating to the workings of the House of Commons (the membership of committees and when the House sits) were disposed of that day.

David Heath a Liberal Democrat and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons proposed the motion. In debate he explained his and the Government's position saying:

It would be foolish of us to take up a great deal of time debating the business of the House motion at the expense of the important debates that I know the House is eager to move on to at the first opportunity.

The full text of the motion:

That, at today's sitting, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Sir George Young relating to

• Backbench Business Committee,
• Election of Backbench Business Committee,
• Backbench Business (Amendment of Standing Orders),
• Westminster Hall (Amendment of Standing Orders),
• Topical Debates (Amendments of Standing Orders),
• Pay for Chairs of Select Committees,
• Backbench Business Committee (Review),
• September Sittings, Business of the House (Private Members' Bills),
• Deferred Divisions (Timing), Select Committees (Membership),
• Select Committees (Machinery of Government Change) and
• Sittings of the House not later than 9.30 pm;

such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; proceedings may continue after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.

Question put.

The House divided: Ayes 301, Noes 198.

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