Adams: in the House

Sinn Fein is to be given full access to the offices and facilities of the House of Commons despite the party's refusal to take the oath of allegiance.

Amid rowdy scenes in the Commons, Robin Cook told MPs that parliament would debate the issue on Tuesday.

In a move which will be opposed by Conservatives and unionists, the government is to propose that members who choose not to take their seats are still given full access to Commons facilities.

Cook argued that the decision to bar Sinn Fein MPs was based on an outdated view of politics in Northern Ireland.

He told MPs that circumstances had changed radically since the initial decision to exclude Sinn Fein had been taken by the previous speaker, Betty Boothroyd.

"The situation in Northern Ireland has changed since 1997. We have seen the election of the Northern Ireland Assembly, we have seen the first verifiable act of decommissioning," he said. "I do not see a case for this place remaining frozen."

Cook said the decision represented "one more step forward towards modern relationships in Northern Ireland".

Eric Forth, the shadow leader of the Commons, asked if the Sinn Fein MPs would be asked to answer the standard security form which requests them to reveal if they have ever been involved in espionage, terrorism, subterfuge or activities aimed at overthrowing the government.

"If, as it has been suggested, that such people are going to be admitted to these premises are they going to be asked to fill in this form. I hope the leader can give us explicit assurances before we even get to this debate," he said.

Since being elected in 1997, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness have refused to sit in the Commons, but have argued that they should be entitled to office accommodation within parliament.

They refuse to swear the oath of allegiance to the Queen because it would mean they would have to recognise British sovereignty over Northern Ireland.

The change would see Sinn Fein MPs being allowed full access to the Commons as well as services such as the library.

The speaker, Michael Martin, has stated previously that he is opposed to Sinn Fein using parliament's facilities unless its MPs take the oath.

In June's general election, however, the party saw its number of seats rise to four - a higher number than the SDLP.

At the Weston Park summit in July it is understood that Sinn Fein renewed its call for recognition at Westminster.

The move will be met with stiff opposition from Ulster Unionists and the Conservative Party.

The shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Quentin Davies, said the government had once again sold out to Sinn Fein and the IRA.

"What it would amount to is giving Sinn Fein an enormous propaganda victory. If that wasn't enough, giving them public money to boot, making a complete mockery of the rules of the House of Commons," said Davies.

The suggestion comes as the prime minister prepares to meet with David Trimble and his Stormont deputy, Mark Durkan, in Downing Street.

The meeting will focus on the current state of play in the devolved assembly in Belfast.

Blair is also expected to meet today with the Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.