Opposition Parties (Financial Assistance) — 8 Feb 2006 at 17:44

This motion clarifies the expenses paid to MPs who do not take up their seats (Sinn Féin MPs did not take up their seats because this involved swearing an oath of allegiance to the Queen). Previously these MPs had forfeited their expenses for a year from 1 April 2005 (Division here), but after this motion was passed that forfeiture was amended (Division here) to end on 31st October 2006, with the following arrangements coming into place on 1st November:

(1) Financial assistance should be provided, with effect from 1st November 2005, to any opposition party represented by Members who have chosen not to take their seats and thus do not qualify to participate in the proceedings in Parliament, towards expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the employment of staff and related support to Members designated as that party's spokesmen in relation to the party's representative business.

(2) The amount of financial assistance payable to a party under this Resolution shall be calculated and paid by analogy with sub-paragraphs 1(1) to (6) and (8) and 2(1) to (5) of the Resolution of the House of 26th May 1999.

(3) As soon as practicable, but no later than nine months after 31st March each year, a party claiming financial assistance under this resolution shall furnish the Accounting Officer of the House with the certificate of an independent professional auditor, in a form determined by the Accounting Officer, to the effect that all expenses in respect of which the party received financial assistance during the period ending with that day were incurred exclusively in accordance with paragraph (1) of this resolution.

(4) If an audit certificate under paragraph (3) above has not been furnished within the time specified no further financial assistance under this resolution shall be paid until such a certificate is so furnished.

The House divided: Ayes 315, Noes 215.

Debate in Parliament | Source |