Mr. Speaker, I would like to know whether the government whip is calling the vote tonight a free vote, and therefore whether you will be calling for the vote to be taken row by row.
As I understand it, under the standing orders a free vote such as a vote on Private Members' Business is taken row by row, whereas a government order and a non-free vote is taken party by party. That is what we would like clarified. We have received conflicting reports about whether it will be a free vote.