Late night sitting for Maastricht

THE GOVERNMENT last night stepped up the pace on the Bill to enact the Maastricht treaty on European union, forcing MPs for the first time to continue detailed consideration of it beyond 10pm, writes Stephen Goodwin.

Labour voted against a procedural motion to allow the late sitting in a signal to the Government that it cannot rely on Opposition support. Liberal Democrat MPs abstained, enabling the Government to win by 304 votes to 271 - a majority of 33. It was the fifth day of committee stage debate on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill, which will resume today and tomorrow. Only two groups of amendments had been completed when last night's vote was called, leaving 21 to go.