Ernie Fage, who faces a criminal charge of leaving an accident scene, has passed up money and perks by not sitting as an Independent MLA as his case winds through the courts.

The MLA for Cumberland North was charged Tuesday in connection with a Nov. 24 fender-bender in Halifax. He's to appear in court in April on the charge of failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Premier Rodney MacDonald suspended Fage from the Tory caucus Tuesday while the case is before the courts but said he would sit as an "independent Tory" when the legislature resumes next month.

For Fage, this means he won't get to sit with his Tory colleagues or get help from party staff.

But Fage is also giving up help he would be entitled to as a true Independent, including $43,000 to cover the expenses of trying to help his constituents at the other end of the province.

"Financially, one would look at what would be available, as well as infrastructure in terms of office, secretary, supplies, materials and other services that would be available," Speaker Cecil Clarke said.

Clarke said Fage has also agreed not to ask questions during question period, something he'd have every right to do if he no longer considered himself a Tory.

"The [precedent] has been that the government members do not ask questions," Clarke said. "He indicated that it's his full intention to honour the [precedent] that's in place."

The premier brushed aside the question of whether the people of Cumberland North would be better off if Fage sat as an Independent. "That's a decision that ... Mr. Fage would have to make," MacDonald said.

Fage was minister of human resources when the accident happened. He resigned the cabinet post Jan. 4 when witnesses alleged to CBC News that he left the scene smelling of alcohol.