Section 57

When a division has been claimed, the Speaker or the Chairman shall direct that the division bells shall be rung.

The division bells shall thereupon be rung for at least two minutes.

Thereafter the Speaker or Chairman shall pt the question a second time and if a division is again claimed, the Clerk shall call the names of Members in alphabetical order and shall enter on the Votes and Proceedings a record of each

Member’s vote and of the names of Members who abstain from voting.

When a Member’s name is called by the Clerk at a division, the Member shall answer either by voting for the “Ayes” or the “Noes”, or by expressly stating that he abstains from voting. A Member shall not answer in a manner inconsistent with any opinion which he may have expressed when the voices were taken collectively.

A Member may vote in a division although he did not hear the question put.

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As soon as the Clerk has collected the votes, the Speaker or Chairman shall state the numbers voting for the “Ayes” and for the “Noes” respectively and the numbers abstaining and absent, and shall then declare the result of the division.

If, from the number of Members taking part in a division, including those

Members who abstain from voting, it appears that a quorum is not present, the division shall be invalid, the business then under consideration shall stand over until the next sitting and the next business shall be entered upon.

No Member or stranger shall be admitted into the Chamber whilst a division is being taken.