Cathar
This a response from one MEP
Unfortunately I shall not be in Strasbourg at all that week which is very unusual for me. I never miss votes on the Thursday I always wait until it is completed before going home. My absence is entirely due to arrangements I made quite a long time ago when the Schedule did not show a Plenary session that week. The Schedule has since been altered and I cannot change my arrangements, which is very unfortunate because I would have wished to support you.
Now I don't know when the schedule was changed to add a plenary session for the 9th October, but at the very least it is very likely that many MEP's will have likewise made other arrangements believing there to be no need to be in Strasbourg that day. I stand by the BALPA comments.