Northern Ireland Bill — Exclusion of Ministers from office — 30 Jul 1998

I beg to move amendment No. 11, in page 3, line 20, leave out 'or with Community law'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker:

With this, it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments Nos. 12, 20 to 22, 44 to 49, 59 and 60.

I beg to move amendment No. 13, in page 5, line 16, at end insert--

'( ) Standing orders may, in relation to different types of Bill, modify provisions made in pursuance of subsection (1).'.

I beg to move amendment No. 16, in page 7, line 11, leave out 'The Assembly shall' and insert

'Each Assembly shall, within such period beginning with its first meeting as is specified in standing orders,'.

The amendment provides that there should be a new election of First Minister and Deputy First Minister after every election, and that that election shall take place within a period specified in the Standing Orders. Clearly, that is a sensible arrangement and I commend it to the House.

I beg to move amendment No. 17, in page 7, line 33, after second 'office' insert

'which, together with the code of conduct to which it refers, is'.

Amendment agreed to.

I beg to move amendment No. 19, in page 9, line 9, at end insert

'or an officer nominated by him for the purposes of this section'.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments made: No. 20, in page 9, line 37, after 'act', insert--

'(a)''.

No. 21, in page 9, line 37, leave out 'or' and insert--

'(b) is incompatible'.

No. 22, in page 9, line 38, at end insert--

'; or

(c) discriminates, or aids or incites any person to discriminate, against a person or class of person on the ground of religious belief or political opinion.'.-- [Mr. Paul Murphy.]

I beg to move amendment No. 23, in page 9, line 39, leave out ', 21 and' and insert 'to'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker:

With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment No. 3, in clause 22, page 11, line 18, leave out from 'equal' to end of line 20 and insert

Amendment agreed to.

I beg to move amendment No. 24, in page 10, line 18, at end insert

'and may make provision having retrospective effect'.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments made: No. 25, in page 11, line 20, at end insert--

'(5A) Standing orders shall provide that--

(a) a Minister may not be the chairman or deputy chairman of a statutory committee; and

(b) in making a selection under the provision made by virtue of subsection (3)(a), a nominating officer shall prefer a committee in which he does not have a party interest to one in which he does.

(5B) For the purposes of subsection a nominating officer has a party interest in a committee if it is established to advise and assist a Northern Ireland Minister who is a member of his party.'.

No. 26, in page 11, line 23, leave out '(5)' and insert '(5A)'.-- [Mr. Dowd.]

I beg to move amendment No. 27, in page 11, line 29, at end insert 'or'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker:

With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following: Government amendment No. 28.

The House divided: Ayes 225, Noes 21.

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