European Parliament Exposed

[Kralizec]

Well, we're both off:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/p.../h-l/82332.stm

At such sessions, and during debates on controversial matters, the Commons Chamber can become very crowded as it is not large enough for the current number of MPs - there are only 427 green leather seats for 646 MPs.

Pairing agreements:
http://www.parliament.uk/site-inform...ssary/pairing/

Pairing is an arrangement where an MP of one party agrees with an MP of an opposing party not to vote in a particular division. This gives both MPs the opportunity not to attend. Pairing is an informal arrangement and is not recognised by the House of Commons' rules. Such arrangements have to be registered with the whips who check that the agreement is stuck to. Pairing is not allowed in divisions of great political importance but pairings can last for months or years.

EDIT:
I know that the Commons was not made smaller, but when it was to be rebuilt there was some support for a larger chamber because there were more MPs then there were when the old building was constructed. If I remember correctly one of my old teachers at university said that Churchil decided against it because the attendance was inevitably going to be less than 100% most of the time and he didn't like the idea of a half-empty chamber.