ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Monday 4 September 2000 at 10.30am
in Room 144 Parliament Buildings
1. Chairperson's Business
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of last meeting
4. Matters Arising
5. Weights and Measures (Amendment) Bill
6. Price Marking Order
7. Strategy 2010 Inquiry
8. Press Releases
9. Biotechnology Conference
10. Press Cuttings
11. Any other business
12. Date of next meeting
Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Mr W Clyde
Ms P Lewsley
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
In attendance: Mrs C White, Mr J Nesbitt,
Mr M Anderson, Miss J Presho
The meeting opened at 10.40am
1. Chairperson's business
The Chairperson reported on the recent visit to the US and Canada when 4 members of the Committee accompanied the Minister. He informed the Committee that, although the programme was demanding, the visit had went very well.
Agreed - that a copy of the programme for the visit should be sent to all members; and that a letter of thanks should be sent to the key people who hosted the various events.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.45am
Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 11.00am
2. Apologies
There were no apologies.
Top3. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
Top4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
Top5. Weights and Measures (Amendment) Bill
The Committee Clerk advised members that the Committee had 30 days to consider the Bill and that this period was due to expire on 2 October. The Committee Clerk also reported that 1 submission had been received.
Agreed - that the draft motion should be issued requesting a two week extension of the deadline for the Committee stage of the Bill; and that the Department should be invited to give evidence on the Bill.
Top6. Price Marking Order
The Committee Clerk reported that the Department was at present consulting on proposals to amend the Price Marking Order and that a copy of the consultation document had been issued to the Committee for information.
Agreed - that if individual members had any comments on the Order at this stage they should be sent to the Committee Clerk for issue to the Department.
Top7. Strategy 2010 Inquiry
The Chairperson reported that a total of 57 submissions had been received and that 17 organisations had, to date, given oral evidence.
Agreed - that all the evidence sessions should, if possible, be completed by mid October.
Agreed - that a letter should be issued to those organisations who have not given oral evidence inviting them to give such evidence; a response should be requested by 11 September. It was also agreed that some evidence sessions could be held on Mondays or Tuesdays and that the suggested programme of evidence sessions for October could be brought forward.
Meetings at Queen's University, and Strabane and Moyle District Councils - the members present agreed to use their own transport to attend these meetings.
Top8. Press releases
Agreed - the draft press releases for the Committee's visits to Queen's University, and Strabane and Moyle District Councils.
Top9. Biotechnology conference
Agreed - that Mr McClarty and Dr McDonnell should attend a biotechnology conference hosted by the University of Ulster in partnership with Coleraine Borough Council (1 - 3 October). Also agreed - that delegates could be invited to Parliament Buildings on 4 October.
Top10. Press cuttings
Members advised that they found the press cuttings very useful and wished to continue to receive them.
Top11. Any other business
Agreed - that Harland and Wolff should be put on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting and that an update on the situation should be requested from the Department.
Top12. Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 6 September at 10.00am in Room 144.
TopThe meeting closed at 12.30pm
Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)