Anyone tuning into Parliament yesterday afternoon and evening may have had a bit of trouble working out quite what was going on, and a few people have been in touch to ask, so, to coin a phrase, here is a report on progress.
Yesterday was Members Day, which happens every second Wednesday when we consider Private Members, Local and Private Bills ( ie not the government’s legislative programme). We began the day with further consideration by the Committee of the Whole House (what Parliament calls itself when it is debating each clause or part of a bill) of the Royal Society Bill. As those who watch Parliament closely will know this Bill is in my name, but is a Private Bill to update the Royal Society Act to reflect some changes they have made to the way they operate. It is fair to say this Bill has been getting a lot of attention in recent months!
Early in the debate Heather Roy moved that the House report progress on the Bill. This is a provision of standing orders that allows debate on a bill to stop for that day and for the Bill to be set down for further discussion the next day. With the support of National this motion was passed, effectively shutting down debate and seeing us move to the next Bill, the hotly debated Voluntary Student Association Membership Bill in Heather’s name.
What followed was some procedural argy-bargy as to whether and how a motion to report progress can be used. This included a few appearances by the Speaker to clarify points of order. The Speaker acknowledged that the use of the provision was something that needed the attention of the Standing Orders Committee, but gave an interim Speakers Ruling that said that a motion to report progress could only be put as the Committee of the Whole considered a new clause or part. ( I bet you are glad you know that!).
I know the procedural argy-bargy can look a bit unedifying, but it is, and always has been, part and parcel of Parliament. There are a lot of rules and precedents, and as seen today all sides use them from time to time.
In any case we went on to the VSM Bill, and some fairly vigorous exchanges. Labour strongly opposes this legislation, because we believe it is an ideological attempt to kill of student associations, and in fact it actually reduces the choice of student associations to decide their own destiny. For me student associations are like local government. Enrolling as a student makes you part of a community, and the student association is the organisation that helps govern that community. You can read more of Labour’s position here and in our minority report on page 5 of here.
I do not apologise for fighting hard to stop VSM. I really think it will be detrimental to students, and their welfare, and to tertiary institutions. I have always felt if you believe passionately in something you have to be prepared to fight for it.
The House rose with the Committee debating Clause 9, the final clause of the Bill. That means we have not yet completed the Committee stages. One confusion to clear up, completing Committee stages does not mean the Bill has passed. That comes with a Third Reading, a two hour debate that will occur after the Committee stages are completed, and can not be on the same day as the Committee stages are completed.
Hope that helps. The next Members Day is the 17th of August. Tune in for another exciting installment.
