Procedure Committee announces review of proxy voting arrangements

• Inquiry: Proxy voting: review of pilot arrangements
• Procedure Committee

On 28 January 2019 the House of Commons authorised a trial scheme of proxy voting for parental absence, to operate for twelve months after the entry into force of the scheme governing how proxy voting is to operate.

On the same date the House directed the Procedure Committee to review the arrangements made for proxy voting before the end of the 12-month trial period.

The Committee would welcome submissions addressing any aspect of the scheme from Members who have made use of the new arrangements, or are expecting to, and from any other interested parties.

Scope of the inquiry

Among the issues the Committee would welcome evidence on are the following:

• The scope and operation of the scheme established under the resolution of the House of 28 January 2019
• The operation of the temporary standing order providing for the use of proxy votes in divisions of the House
• The administrative arrangements for the scheme, including the requirement to provide evidence of eligibility
• How the scheme has worked in practice, including the system of Speaker certification and the practicalities of casting proxy votes in the lobbies

Submissions should be made via the Committee's evidence portal, and ought to be made by 12 noon on Thursday 10 October 2019.