APPENDIX 2: PRESENT RULES ON LEAVE OF
ABSENCE
Paragraphs 1.27-1.29 of the Companion currently
read as follows:
Leave of absence
1.27 Members of the House are to attend the sittings
of the House. If they cannot attend, they should obtain leave
of absence.
1.28 At any time during a Parliament, a member
of the House may obtain leave of absence for the rest of the Parliament
by applying in writing to the Clerk of the Parliaments. Before
the beginning of every Parliament the Clerk of the Parliaments
writes to each member who was on leave of absence at the end of
the preceding Parliament to ask whether he wishes to apply for
leave of absence for the new Parliament. The House grants leave
to those who so apply. In addition, the Dissolution Notice sent
to all members of the House at the opening of a new Parliament
invites other members who wish to apply to communicate with the
Clerk of the Parliaments.
1.29 Directions relating to those on leave of
absence are as follows:
(a) a member of the House who has been granted
leave of absence is expected not to attend sittings of the House
until his leave has expired or been terminated, except to take
the oath of allegiance;
(b) a member of the House on leave of absence
who wishes to attend during the period for which leave was granted
is expected to give notice in writing to the Clerk of the Parliaments
at least one month before the day on which he wishes to attend;
and his leave is terminated one month from the date of this notice,
or sooner if the House so directs;
(c) a member of the House on leave of absence
may not act as a supporter in the ceremony of introduction;
(d) a member of the House on leave of absence
may not vote in the election of the Lord Speaker or in by-elections
for hereditary peers.
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