MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MONDAY 14 MAY 2001 AT 5.15 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

The meeting began at 5.20 pm

Present: The Speaker
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr C Murphy
Dr A McDonnell
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr J Wilson

Apologies: Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds
Ms M McWilliams
Mr E McGrady MP
Mr D Watson
Mr A Maskey

In attendance: Mr A Moir The Clerk to the Assembly
Mr J Reynolds Principal Clerk of Business
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk of Plenary Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker

Observers: Sir John Gorman Deputy Speaker
Ms J Morrice Deputy Speaker
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Mr J Tierney

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting of 8 May 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 21 MAY 2001

3.1 It was AGREED that the Assembly should sit for one day only during week commencing 21 May 2001.

3.2 The Speaker advised Members that the Representation of the People Act 1983 may make it inappropriate during an election for any item about a constituency to be broadcast without the consent and participation of all candidates taking part. While advice is being awaited about the effect of this provision, it was AGREED not to list any adjournment debates until the situation could be clarified as these relate to specific constituency matters and would be broadcast live on the internet.

3.3 The Speaker advised Members that efforts were being made to clarify what general rules for conduct of business were being operated in the other Regional Assemblies during the General Election and Local Government campaigns. It was AGREED that the Assembly should continue to carry out the legislative programme, Executive and Committee Business and Question Time during the Election and review other Private Members' Business on a week to week basis.

3.4 Business for the Plenary Sitting on 21 May 2001 was discussed, the Order Paper AGREED and indicative timings allocated.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 Tax Exemption for EU Travel Expenses

Copies of correspondence had been circulated for Members' information. This issue had originally been raised with the Treasury by the Presiding Officer for the Welsh National Assembly on the issue of expenses for visits to other Regional Parliaments and EU institutions being tax exempt. Recent correspondence from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury indicated that no change to the current arrangements were envisaged. The Speaker advised Members that clarification is being sought on whether expenses have to be declared for tax purposes when they have been paid directly by the Assembly rather than reimbursed.

4.2 Human Rights Training

The Speaker advised Members that one of the Legal Advisers has completed 5 seminars on Human Rights issues and had asked for feedback before preparing any more as turnout by Members had been disappointing. The Speaker agreed to feedback comments that the seminars had all been arranged for the same day of the week, which some Members could never attend because of other pre-arranged commitments. The Speaker reminded Members of the value of such seminars.

4.3 Rota for Oral Questions

The Rota for Oral Questions for 18 June 2001 - 2 July 2001 was agreed.

4.4 Private Members' Bills (PMBs)

Members were advised that a meeting had been held between the Speaker and the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, Mr Conor Murphy, re PMBs. The Speaker's view was that existing Standing Orders were adequate to process PMBs save for the proposed use of a ballot for financial assistance. There were, however, some conventions that need to be established, for example, timings during Plenary Business and carry-over of PMBs to the following session. The Speaker advised Members that he had offered to attend a meeting of the Procedures Committee to discuss and put the proposed conventions on record. The Speaker undertook to keep Members appraised in this respect.

4.5 Notification to MLAs of Ministerial Visits

A paper prepared by OFMDFM was circulated for Members to consider and discuss at a subsequent meeting. The Speaker informed Members that he would suggest to OFMDFM that they write to Party Whips asking them to forward Members' telephone numbers. A representative of the Executive Secretariat clarified that the paper would be issued in the form of guidance so it would be a matter for individual Ministers to decide whether they wished to withhold advance notice, eg on security grounds.

4.6 Question Time Conventions

In response to queries from Members the Speaker confirmed that he does accept advance notice that a Member wishes to ask a supplementary question at Ministerial Question Time, on the grounds it would cause difficulties for Whips and Members if the Speaker were to wait until Members rose to try to catch his eye. He clarified, however, that the fact a Member has put their name down in advance to ask a supplementary on a particular question does not guarantee the Member will be called. Rather, the Speaker will attempt to achieve balance in calling Members from across the Chamber. The Speaker will also take into account whether the Member has a question down later in the published list and how likely it is that the question will be reached, as well as how many other Members from that Party have asked questions or supplementaries.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

5.1 The Speaker informed Members that he would be hosting a reception at 6.15 pm on Monday 21 May in the Private Dining Room for the family of Eliza Ward, who had recently been awarded the George Medal. He invited Members to attend; those wishing to do so were to contact Ms G Campbell, Private Secretary to the Speaker.

5.2 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Monday 21 May 2001, 15 minutes after close of business in Room 106.

The meeting adjourned at 6.04 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker

8 May 2001 / Menu / 21 May 2001