The debate in second reading of the Divorce Bill will start on Monday, July 4 and is expected to be completed by the 13th, when a vote will be taken and the House will rise for the summer recess.

The House Business Committee agreed, however, that if the debate is not complete by then, the House would rise the following week. There will not be a sitting on Sunday but a sitting on Saturday, July 9, remains a possibility.

The standing committee for the consideration of Bills will be meeting to consider any proposed amendments throughout the whole of the summer recess, if necessary – in itself unusual.

The decision by the government to move this Private Members’ Bill, presented jointly by Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Labour MP Evarist Bartolo, follows the result of the referendum held on May 28 when 53 per cent of the electorate voted for divorce as framed in the referendum question.

The referendum was called by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. The Nationalist Party took a stand against while Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat, declaring himself in favour, said he would let the people and his MPs vote according to their conscience.

The Prime Minister has assured the country that the Bill will become law although several MPs from both sides may abstain or vote against.