Inquiries Bill [HL] — 28 Feb 2005 at 15:37

Read a third time.

moved Amendment No. 1:

After Clause 6, insert the following new clause-

"INQUIRIES WHERE MINISTERIAL MISCONDUCT IN ISSUE

(1) This section applies where-

(a) a Minister proposes to cause an inquiry to be held, and

(b) it appears from the proposed terms of reference that the events in question relate wholly or primarily to alleged ministerial misconduct.

(2) The Minster may, if he sees fit, move a motion before the relevant Parliament or Assembly for a resolution approving-

(a) his proposal to cause the inquiry to be held, and

(b) his proposals as to the inquiry's terms of reference and the identity of the chairman;

but an inquiry is not invalidated by the absence of such a resolution.

(3) Section 6(1) does not apply in any case in which the Minister has moved a motion in pursuance of this section.

(4) In this section "ministerial misconduct" means misconduct by-

(a) the holder of a Ministerial office specified in Schedule 1 to the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (c. 27),

(b) a member of the Scottish Executive,

(c) the Assembly First Secretary elected by the National Assembly for Wales, or any Assembly Secretary appointed by him, or

(d) the First Minister, deputy First Minister or any other Northern Ireland Minister."

On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 1) shall be agreed to?

Their Lordships divided: Contents, 137; Not-Contents, 130.

Debate in Parliament | Historical Hansard | Source |