House of Commons

Session 2017-19

Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 14 March 2019

No. 269

The House met at 9.30 am.

Prayers

1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for International Trade

(2) the Minister for Women and Equalities

2Business Question (Leader of the House)

3Business of the House (Today)

Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall put the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the motion in the name of the Prime Minister relating to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union not later than 5.00pm; such questions shall include the questions on any amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the questions may be put after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Iain Stewart.)

4UK’s withdrawal from the European Union

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House:

(1) notes the resolutions of the House of 12 and 13 March, and accordingly agrees that the Government will seek to agree with the European Union an extension of the period specified in Article 50(3);

(2) agrees that, if the House has passed a resolution approving the negotiated withdrawal agreement and the framework for the future relationship for the purposes of section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 by 20 March 2019, then the Government will seek to agree with the European Union a one-off extension of the period specified in Article 50(3) for a period ending on 30 June 2019 for the purpose of passing the necessary EU exit legislation; and

(3) notes that, if the House has not passed a resolution approving the negotiated withdrawal agreement and the framework for the future relationship for the purposes of section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 by 20 March 2019, then it is highly likely that the European Council at its meeting the following day would require a clear purpose for any extension, not least to determine its length, and that any extension beyond 30 June 2019 would require the United Kingdom to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019.—(Mr David Lidington.)

The Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).

At 5.00 pm, the Speaker put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the motion relating to the UK's withdrawal from the EU (Order, today).

Amendment (h) moved, in line 1, to leave out from "House" to end and add "instructs the Prime Minister to request an extension to the Article 50 period at the European Council in March 2019 sufficient for the purposes of legislating for and conducting a public vote in which the people of the United Kingdom may give their consent for either leaving the European Union on terms to be determined by Parliament or retaining the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union.".—(Dr Sarah Wollaston.)

Question put forthwith, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Division No. 360

Ayes: 85 (Tellers: Joan Ryan, Stephen Gethins)

Noes: 334 (Tellers: Jo Churchill, Paul Maynard)

Question accordingly negatived.

Amendment (i) moved, in line 4, to leave out from “Article 50 (3)” to end and add:

“to enable the House of Commons to find a way forward that can command majority support;

2. orders accordingly that on Wednesday 20 March –

(a) Standing Order No. 14(1) (which provides that government business shall have precedence at every sitting save as provided in that order) shall not apply;

(b) precedence shall be given to the motion specified in paragraph 3;

(c) the Speaker shall interrupt proceedings on any business before the motion specified in paragraph 3 at 1.30 pm and call a Member to move that motion;

(d) debate on that motion may continue until 7.00 pm at which time the Speaker shall put the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on that motion including the questions on amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved;

(e) any proceedings interrupted or superseded by this order may be resumed or (as the case may be) entered upon and proceeded with after the moment of interruption; and

3. the motion specified in this paragraph is a motion in the name of at least 25 Members, including at least five Members elected to the House as members of at least five different parties, relating to the Business of the House on a future day or days in connection with matters relating to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.".—(Hilary Benn.)

Amendment to Amendment (i) moved, in line 2, at beginning to insert “for a period ending on 30 June 2019”.—(Lucy Powell.)

Question put forthwith, that the Amendment to the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Division No. 361

Ayes: 311 (Tellers: Jeff Smith, Nick Smith)

Noes: 314 (Tellers: Jo Churchill, Paul Maynard)

Question accordingly negatived.

Question put forthwith, that the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Division No. 362

Ayes: 312 (Tellers: Jeff Smith, Nick Smith)

Noes: 314 (Tellers: Jo Churchill, Paul Maynard)

Question accordingly negatived.

Amendment (e) moved, to leave out paragraphs (2) and (3) and add: “(2) notes that this House has decisively rejected the Withdrawal Agreement and Framework for the Future Relationship laid before the House and the proposition that the UK should leave the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship; and (3) therefore instructs the Prime Minister to seek an extension to Article 50 in order to avoid exiting the EU on 29 March without a ratified Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship; and to provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach.”.—(Jeremy Corbyn.)

Question put forthwith, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Division No. 363

Ayes: 302 (Tellers: Jeff Smith, Nick Smith)

Noes: 318 (Tellers: Jo Churchill, Paul Maynard)

Question accordingly negatived.

Main Question put forthwith.

The House divided.

Division No. 364

Ayes: 412 (Tellers: Mike Freer, Mr Alister Jack)

Noes: 202 (Tellers: Mr Peter Bone, Mr William Wragg)

Question accordingly agreed to.

Resolved, That this House:

(1) notes the resolutions of the House of 12 and 13 March, and accordingly agrees that the Government will seek to agree with the European Union an extension of the period specified in Article 50(3);

5Adjournment

Subject: Clyde House and A2Dominion (Justine Greening)

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Stuart Andrew.)

Adjourned at 7.00 pm until tomorrow.

Other Proceedings

Lords Messages

6Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) (No. 2) Bill

The Lords agree to the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) (No. 2) Bill without amendment.