00:00 >>Mr Speaker We now come to the SNP motion on Gaza. I
00:10 understand that the second motion on the Order Paper will not be moved today. This is a highly
00:16 sensitive subject on which feelings are running high in the House, in the nation and throughout
00:22 the world. I think it is important on this occasion that the House is able to consider
00:29 the widest possible range of options. I have therefore decided to select the amendments
00:36 both in the name of the Prime Minister and in the name of the Leader of the Opposition,
00:50 because the operation of standing order 31 will prevent another amendment from being
00:55 moved after the Government have moved their amendments. I will exceptionally call the
00:59 Opposition Front Bench spokesperson to move their amendment at the beginning of the debate.
01:05 Once the SNP spokesperson has moved their motion, at the end of the debate the House
01:12 will have an opportunity to take a decision on the Official Opposition Amendment. If that
01:19 is agreed to, there is a final question on the main motion as amended. If the Official
01:24 Opposition Amendment is not agreed to, I will call the Minister to move the Government amendment
01:29 formally. That will engage the provisions of standing order 31.
01:44 The next vote will be on the original words in the SNP motion. If that is not agreed to,
01:54 the House will have the opportunity to vote on the Government amendment. Proceeding this
01:59 way will allow a vote to take place potentially on all proposals from each of the three main
02:08 parties. I can inform the House that there is a precedent for an Official Opposition
02:19 spokesperson being called second in the debate.
02:34 Every Minister is called to speak in the debate in the circumstances. However, no Government
02:38 amendment has been tabled. I should also inform the House that the Clerk of the House will
02:44 be placing in the Library a letter to me about today's proceedings. I have asked for that
02:50 letter to be made available in the vote office as soon as possible.
02:56 Finally, I should tell the House that, in my opinion, the operation of standing order
03:01 31, which comes the way amendments to the Opposition motions are dealt with, reflects
03:07 an outdated approach, which restricts—[Interruption.] Order. You will be going and not be voting.
03:31 That is the first one to leave, then. If you want to, do it.
03:38 No, then. Firstly, I should tell the House that, in my opinion, the operation of standing
03:42 order, which comes the way amendments to the Opposition motions are dealt with, reflects
03:46 an outdated approach, which restricts the operations that can put the House—[Interruption.]
03:52 It is my intention to ask the Procedure Committee to consider the operation.
03:59 I now call Brendan Horner to move the motion.
