PARLIAMENTARY OATH AND EXPENSES

That this House opposes any changes to theParliamentary Oaths Act 1866; is disappointed that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has invited Sinn Fein to make its own suggestion for an oath; believes that it is wrong for the Government to attempt to change the oath that hon. and right hon. Members make in order to appease those who refuse to take up their seats; further believes that the previous Government was wrong to allow expenses to be claimed by those who do not take up their seats; and calls on the Prime Minister to follow through on his pledge to re-examine the rules which allow payments to be made to abstentionists.