text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  @ MP voted aye to keep the number of MPs at 650, and permit 5% more flexibility in the variation of the number of electors per constituency. 
  @ MP voted no to reduce the number of MPs to 600 and against permitting 5% more flexibility in the variation of the number of electors per constituency. 
  
  The majority of MPs taking part voted to keep the number of MPs at 650, and permit 5% more flexibility in the variation of the number of electors per constituency. 
   
  MPs were considering the Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill[1]
  
  The Bill provides for[2]:
  
  * 650 MPs in the House of Commons (which would reverse the reduction to 600 members provided for in [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/1/section/11/enacted Section 11 of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011] but which had not taken effect at the time of this vote).
  
  * Increasing the flexibility permitted in the size of the electorate in most constituencies from 5% to 10% of the average (excepting four island seats). 
  
  * Requiring the calculation of the size of the total electorate to be based on registers of parliamentary electors published in or after 2017. 
  
  * Requiring the Boundary Commissions to complete their reviews of parliamentary boundaries by 1 October 2018 and thereafter to carry out reviews every ten years.
  
  The motion supported by the majority of MPs in this vote was:
  
  :That the Bill be now read a Second time.
  
  Support from the majority of MPs meant this bill continued on its path to becoming law. 
  
   
  * [1] [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2016-17/parliamentaryconstituenciesamendment.html Parliament's webpage on the Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill]
  * [2] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2016-2017/0009/en/17009en02.htm Explanatory notes to the Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill - Overview]
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  