text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Support for Members Who Have Chosen Not to Take Their Seats
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  This motion, which was passed, halves from a year to six months the period of time for which Sinn FÃ©in MPs forfeited their entitlement to expenses (around Â£40,000-worth) for refusing to take their seats (which involves swearing an oath of allegiance to the Queen).  From 1st November 2005 new arrangements for paying expenses to non-sitting MPs were made according to <a href="http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2006-02-08&number=155">the previous vote<\a>.
  
  <blockquote>That the <a href="http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2005-03-10&number=129">Resolution of the House of 10th March 2005</a> relating to Support for Members who have chosen not to take their Seats be amended by substituting for the words 'a period of suspension of one year commencing on 1st April' the words 'the period 1st April 2005 to 31st October'</blockquote>
  
  <p pid="c.972.1/4"><i>The House divided:</i> Ayes 329, Noes 178.</p>
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  