MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Deputy Chairpersons of the Business Committee
4. Arrangements for Forthcoming Plenary Meetings
5. Any Other Business
6. Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting

Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr A Maskey
Mr M Morrow
Dr A McDonnell (arrived at 10.44 am)
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

Apologies:Mr C Murphy
Ms M McWilliams
Mrs I Robinson

In attendance:Mr M Barnes Ms G Campbell

Observers: Sir J Gorman

Mr D McClelland
Ms J Morrice

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Press Facilities in the Central Hall: Mr Waddell (Keeper of the House) has revised the layout to provide a central walkway for Members. The Speaker advised Members that new press conference facilities are available in the basement.

Ministerial Visits to Constituencies: Concern was expressed regarding unannounced Ministerial visits to Members' constituencies. The Speaker said that it was his understanding that reference would be made in the Ministerial Code to this matter and that the Code will ultimately come before the Assembly.

Visitors to Parliament Buildings: The Speaker informed Members that visits were beyond the control of the Business Committee.

Royal Visits: The Speaker agreed to investigate the protocols associated with these and other VIP visits and report back to the Business Committee.

3. DEPUTY CHAIRPERSONS OF THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE

The Speaker confirmed that he would bring this matter back to a future meeting of the Committee.

4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

The Speaker circulated a draft Order Paper for consideration. He reminded Members that statements would not appear on the Order Paper and that the First Stage of Bills would not always appear on the Order Paper.

The Committee decided that the Motion for exclusion of Sinn Féin was not to appear on the Order Paper as only 3 Members' signatures had appeared on the relevant Motion and there were no indications that it would achieve the necessary 30 signatures.

A proposal by Mr E McGrady MP that the Motion on Union Flags be not taken but remain on the No Day Named List was negatived by 76 votes to 24 votes.

A proposal by Mr B Hutchinson that a Motion on Equality to be proposed by Mr C Murphy be accepted in principle, (without prejudice to future decisions) and subject to competence, was carried by 76 votes to 21 votes.

A proposal by Mr J Wilson (seconded by Mr B Hutchinson) that the Motion regarding the Union Flag should appear on the Order Paper was carried by 76 votes to 24 votes.

The Speaker outlined to Members the background of the Motion relating to the Memorandum of Understanding and Supplementary Agreements and further reminded Members of the process regarding Royal Assent of Bills.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was agreed by Members that Oral Questions may be tabled over a period of 5 working days.

No topics had been received for Adjournment Debate.

The Speaker outlined the reasons behind not accepting Assembly Questions by e-mail. Dr A McDonnell urged a move towards a greater acceptance of this method of tabling Questions. Members offered their thanks for recent guidance received on the process associated with Assembly Questions.

On a query from Mr E McGrady MP the Speaker directed that any anomalies regarding Standing Orders should be addressed to Mr C Murphy, Chairman of the Procedures Committee.

A letter of thanks from Dumfries and Galloway Council was noted by the Speaker.

6. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Business Committee would take place on Tuesday 6 June 2000 in Room 106 during the lunchtime recess.

The meeting adjourned at 11.59 am.

To view Order Paper for Monday 5 June 2000.