text_body: --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  <p>Question accordingly negatived.</p>
  
  <p class="italic">Amendment proposed: (b), in line 4, leave out from "effect" to end.&#8212;[Mr. Lidington.]</p>
  
  <p><i>Question put,</i> That the amendment be made:&#8212;</p>
  
  <p><i>The House divided:</i> Ayes 171, Noes 357.</p>
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  <p>The amendment is to remove the detail of which parts of the 18 December 2001 Resolution be suspended. The Resolution allowed Sinn F&eacute;in MPs to gain some of the parliamentary privileges (office space and expenses, mainly) enjoyed by other MPs, but without having to take their seats (which would involve taking an Oath of Allegiance to the Queen).</p>
  
  <p>The motion itself, as proposed by the Leader of the House and the Northern Ireland Secretary, suspends only the expenses for Sinn F&eacute;in MPs. This amendment, supported mainly by Conservatives and Unionists, would have suspended <i>all</i> their privileges. That it fell means that the four Sinn F&eacute;in MPs get to keep their office space and so on, but lose around &pound;40,000-worth of expenses.</p>