text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - Third Reading - Closure
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  The majority of MPs voted in favour of a motion to end the debate on the Third Reading of the [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmbills/039/07039.i-i.html Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill].  
  
  Unlike a normal vote, where a majority is sufficient, a motion for closure requires at least 100 MPs in favour, according to [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmstords/405/40508.htm#a40 Standing Order 37].  It was for this reason (to break the filibuster) that this debate on this Bill had suddenly been delayed in order to organize enough MPs (many of whom were ministers) in attendance.[2]
  
  During this Third Reading debate, one MP reminded the house that some of the justifications for the Bill were spurious because they would have been addressed by earlier amendments[3] (such as those given in [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2007-04-20&number=94 Division 94]).
  
  
  PublicWhip received complaints from some of the MPs who voted for this closure motion, but didn't vote in the final Third Reading vote, in [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2007-05-18&number=123 ''Division 123'', because we marked them as being in favour of this Bill when they claimed only to be in favour of coming to a final democratic decision by hastening the vote.  
  
  The next vote ([http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2007-05-18&number=123 ''Division 123'']) was the actual Third Reading vote.  To see those who voted for closure (in order to beef up the numbers to over 100) and didn't vote on the final motion, go [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2007-05-18&number=122&number2=123 ''here''].
  
  * [1] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmstords/405/40508.htm#a40 Majority for closure], House of Commons Standing Order 37
  * [2] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/apr/27/freedomofinformation.uk MP delays FoI exemption bill], The Guardian, 27 April 2007
  * [3] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2007-05-18b.882.3#g913.4 Fiona Mactaggart MP], House of Commons, 18 May 2007
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  