Is it time to lock up our MPs?

QUESTION After a Commons vote, why does the Speaker shout ‘Unlock!’? When a vote in the house of Commons is too close to call, a formal count must take place. This is done using the division lobbies. The process is controlled by the Speaker.

When the house was rebuilt following the fire of 1834, division lobbies were built adjacent to the chamber to facilitate voting.

The lobby to the Speaker’s right became the ‘Aye Lobby’ and that to his left the ‘no Lobby’.

Supporters and opposers of a motion file into separate lobbies and have their names recorded and numbers counted.

When a vote is called, the division bell is sounded. eight minutes after the question has been put, the Speaker declares: ‘Lock the doors.’

The lobby entrances are locked and only those MPs within are counted. This process ensures the vote takes place within a specific time. After the MPs have voted, the tallies are read out to the house by the senior teller on the winning side.

The Speaker then announces these numbers a second time. Once the vote is over, the Speaker cries ‘Unlock!’ and doorkeepers unlock the division lobbies.

Peter White, London SW6. QUESTION What are the longest odds on a winning horse? FUrTher to the earlier answer, one of the biggest upsets in horse racing history didn’t come from a winning horse. At the 1989 epsom Derby, Terimon, the oldest horse in the race, set off at odds of 500-1. he came second, the longest odds ever for a place horse.

Clive Richards, Worcester.