Archive for July 12th, 2010
2nd reading of the Finance Bill
Not so dry a topic
…began at 4.31pm on Tuesday and finished at 2.07am on Wednesday. The House eventually rose at 2.48am.
Some Labour MPs spoke at length, including former Labour minister Kevan Jones whose contribution lasted more than an hour. While waiting to vote, many other MPs retired to the Strangers’ Bar which stays open for as long as debates continue.
An official video recording on the Commons website shows how noise levels in the chamber rose after midnight when many, including Mr Randall, returned from the bar, apparently expecting a vote.
Although it is deemed ‘unparliamentary’ to accuse another MP of being drunk, speaker John Bercow observed a “convivial spirit” and warned that “Far too many private conversations are taking place in the Chamber, which is very discourteous.”