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<p>The House of Commons Commission has not received a request from the Government
to arrange for Big Ben to chime to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.</p><p>The
Commission is aware of EDM No. 2, tabled by the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and
Wickford, which calls on Mr Speaker and the House Authorities to make arrangements
for Big Ben to chime at 11.00 pm on 31 January 2020.</p><p>The Commission is further
aware that an amendment in the names of Mark Francois and other signatories has been
tabled to the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill that moves the following
clause;</p><p>Exit day chimes of Big Ben</p><p>(1) The United Kingdom leaves the European
Union, in accordance with Article 50 (2) of the Treaty on European Union, at 11.00pm
Greenwich Mean Time on Friday 31 January 2020.</p><p>(2) The Speaker of the House
of Commons and the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, together with any other
relevant parliamentary authorities, must make arrangements for the occasion in subsection
(1) to be marked by the sounding of the hourly chimes including eleven strikes of
the principal bell (Big Ben) of the Great Clock in the Elizabeth Tower of the Houses
of Parliament at 11.00pm Greenwich Mean Time on Friday 31 January 2020.</p><p>In May
2018, the Commission agreed that, during the Elizabeth Tower refurbishment project,
Big Ben should sound only for Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day and over the New Year.</p>
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