Sinn Fein: Parliamentary Oath of Allegiance

Debate between Lord Shutt of Greetland and Earl Ferrers

Tuesday 7th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, I do not know. The Secretary of State has put it to them: if they have a problem in coming, they must say what it is and let the other place as a whole decide whether that is something that it can deal with. The offer is open to them if they wish to come, but we do not know whether they do wish to come.

[Earl Ferrers]

My Lords, given what my noble friend has just said, will he give an assurance that the oath taken by Members of the House of Commons will not change?

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, I cannot be absolute about this. The Secretary of State, supported by others, has said, “If there is a problem, come and put something to us and we will give it our consideration”. I cannot say what the Members of the House of Commons will say en masse if something is put to them. It may be that something with which they can agree is put to them; or it may be that they do not entertain it. I cannot answer that question.