Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill — Clause 3 — Recall of Parliament to Consider Progress Reports — Establishing a Northern Ireland Executive — Protecting Veterans Fom Repeated Investigation for Northern Ireland Troubles Incidents — 18 Jul 2019 at 13:22

The majority of MPs voted for Parliament to consider, and to be recalled to consider if necessary, reports on progress establishing a Northern Ireland Executive and on progress protecting veterans of the Armed Forces and other security personnel from repeated investigation for Northern Ireland troubles related incidents.

MPs were considering the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill^[1].

The motion rejected by a majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 1, as amended

Lords amendment 1 stated^[2]

• Page 2, line 17, leave out subsection (2) and insert—
• (2A)
• The Secretary of State must make arrangements for—
• (a) a copy of each report published under subsection (1) to be laid before each House of Parliament by the end of the day on which it is published,
• (b) a motion in neutral terms, to the effect that the House of Commons has considered the report, to be moved in the House of Commons by a Minister of the Crown, and
• (c) a motion for the House of Lords to take note of the report to be tabled in the House of Lords and moved by a Minister of the Crown.
• (2B) The motions required under subsections (2A)(b) and (c) must be moved in the relevant House by a Minister of the Crown within the period of five calendar days beginning with the end of the day on which the report is laid before Parliament.”

The Commons amendment added^[2]:

• “(2C)
• If, as a result of Parliament standing prorogued or adjourned, a Minister of the Crown cannot comply with the obligations in subsection (2A) or (2B), a proclamation under the Meeting of Parliament Act 1797 (c. 127) shall require Parliament to meet on a specified day within the period within which compliance with subsection (2B) is required and to meet on the five following days (other than Saturdays, Sundays or a day which is a bank holiday in the United Kingdom or in any part of the United Kingdom) to allow for compliance with subsection (2B).”

Prior consideration by the House of Lords the Clause 3(2) of the Bill stated^[3] :

• The Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament.

This was grammatically incorrect, or ambiguous, as following amendments the provision referred to a number of reports.

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2019 (now the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act), Parliament.uk
• [2] Lords amendment 1 to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill as amended by the Commons, Parliment.uk
• [3] Version of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill 2019 prior to consideration by the House of Lords, Parliament.uk

Debate in Parliament |