HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

7.05 During the three minutes after the order has been given for the
Bar to be cleared, two Tellers are appointed by the members wishing to
vote “Content” and two by those wishing to vote “Not-content”. Their
names are given in at the Table where they receive their Tellers’ wands
and they state to the Clerk whether they are appointed by the Contents
or the Not-contents. 1
7.06 At the end of three minutes, the doors at the exit from each
division lobby are unlocked and the Lord on the Woolsack or in the
Chair again puts the Question. If only one side replies, the Lord on the
Woolsack or in the Chair says:
“The Contents [Not-contents] have it.”
and no division takes place.
7.07 If one or more voices from each side shouts “Content” and “Notcontent”,
the Lord on the Woolsack or in the Chair proceeds with the
division by saying:
“The Contents will go to the right by the Throne. The Not-contents
to the left by the Bar.”
7.08 The members wishing to vote “Content” then go through the
door to the right of the Throne through the lobby on the spiritual side,
and re-enter the House through the door beyond the Bar of the House.
The members wishing to vote “Not-content” go through the door
beyond the Bar on the temporal side and re-enter the House through
the door to the left of the Throne.
7.09 A member may, usually on the ground of disability, vote in the
Chamber. 2 Such votes, and those of the Lord on the Woolsack or in the
Chair, are taken in the House by the Clerk.
7.10 A member may vote in a division even if not in the House to hear
the Question put.
7.11 One Teller from each side and two Clerks go to each lobby to
record the numbers and names of those voting. Members voting divide
1 The procedure to be followed if the correct number of Tellers is not appointed is set out at
paragraphs 7.20–7.21.
2 SO 54.
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