Page 57 - Member of Parliament Uk-handbook

51
CHAMbER & COMMITTEES

Oath or affirmation
You should decide in advance whether to take an oath or to
make an affirmation.
You take the oath or affirm by the Despatch Box on the
Government side and then sign the test roll. The Clerk of
the House calls out your name, and the Speaker shakes
hands with you as you pass the Chair.
Sacred texts
The following holy books are available to Members at the
Table: the New Testament; the Old Testament (in English
and Hebrew); the Torah; the Koran; the Granth; the Welsh
Bible; and the Gaelic Bible. As you come to take the oath
you should indicate to the Clerk which holy book you
require.
You are asked to respect the protocols surrounding the
handling of the Koran and the Granth and should not touch
these holy books unless you intend to use them to take the
oath.
Languages other than English
The oath or affirmation must by law be taken or made
initially in English, but you are entitled, if you wish, to
follow this with an oath or affirmation in Welsh, Cornish or
Scottish Gaelic. Oath/affirmation cards in these languages
are available at the time of swearing-in from the Clerk at the
Despatch Box.
Sample signatures
House officials will be behind the Speaker’s Chair to collect
your sample signature so that it can be easily identified when
you sign House papers. You will also be asked to complete a
form showing the full name by which you wish to be known
in a range of House documents.