CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

POINT OF ORDER – SIZE OF MAJORITY IN FAVOUR OF TRIDENT - 18 July 2016

POINT OF ORDER – SIZE OF MAJORITY IN FAVOUR OF TRIDENT - 18 July 2016

Dr Julian Lewis: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: The right hon. Gentleman was rather late in rising – I had already started to put the question – but I will let him off on this occasion. He is a callow youth. We will deal with him.

Dr Lewis: I am much obliged to you, Mr Speaker. I wonder whether it is within the rules of order for me to point out that on 14 March 2007, when the “initial gate” vote on Trident took place, the majority was 248, whereas this evening it has risen to 355.

Mr Speaker: Well, some people might think that it was the Lewis effect. The right hon. Gentleman was not orderly in doing that, but he has done it.

[NOTE: Trident submarine renewal was carried, on 18 July 2016, by 472 votes to 117. The 'initial gate' vote for renewal, on 14 March 2007, had been carried by 409 votes to 161.]