MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MONDAY 21 MAY 2001 AT 4.25 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 4.35 pm
Present: The Speaker
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McGrady MP
Ms M McWilliams
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr J Wilson
Apologies: Mr I Davis
Mr A Maskey
Mr C Murphy
Mr D Watson
Mr N Dodds
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 P McNamee
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting of 14 May 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Tax Exemption for EU Travel Expenses
It has been clarified that where expenses for visits to other Regional Parliaments and EU Institutions are paid in full by the Assembly, they do not have to be declared for tax purposes. Expenses do have to be declared however, where Members pay for part of the costs themselves and are reimbursed. Expenses incurred for visits to other Regional Legislatures are not tax exempt under House of Commons Rules. The Clerk to the Assembly will discuss this directly with the tax authorities and will report back to Members.
2.2 Notification to MLAs of Ministerial Visits
A consultation paper was previously circulated. It was AGREED to refer the matter to a meeting of the Committee after 7 June 2001.
2.3 Question Time Procedures
Members raised the issue of the conduct of Question Time on 21 May. Mr T McCusker stated that he also wished to raise some issues on behalf of Ministers. The Speaker undertook to examine the video recording and to check Hansard before making any comment on the conduct of Question Time. In the meantime he invited Members who had specific concerns to speak to him privately before the end of this week.
2.4 Private Members' Bills (PMBs)
In response to a query regarding the handling of PMBs the Speaker clarified that no conventions have been established. The Speaker will attend a meeting of the Committee on Procedures in mid-late June and wishes to take with him the views of the Business Committee. Members were therefore requested to forward comments to the Speaker by early June particularly re:
- selecting a regular time during Plenary Sittings for PMBs to be debated;
- automatic Business Motion after Second Stage to extend Committee Stage;
- whether PMBs should automatically carry over to the next session.
2.5 Teleconferencing
The Speaker further advised Members that the Committee on Procedures had been discussing a possible amendment to Standing Orders whereby the quorum for any Committee may be achieved through teleconferencing.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 28 MAY 2001
3.1 It was AGREED that, Monday 28 May being a bank holiday, the Assembly would meet for one day only, on Tuesday 29 May.
3.2 The Committee AGREED to table for discussion a Motion relating to the Ad Hoc Committee's report on the Proceeds of Crime Bill. The Speaker observed that this was a Reserved matter and would not normally be debated during a Westminster election, however in view of the fact that the Secretary of State had been asked for an extension to the consultation period but had not consented, the Motion would have to be debated at this stage otherwise the Ad Hoc Committee's work would be nugatory and the Assembly would not be able to put forward a view.
3.3 Business for the Plenary Sitting on 29 May 2001 was discussed, the Order Paper AGREED and indicative timings allocated. It was AGREED to operate business on a rolling basis until concluded, with Question Time set at 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 The Speaker invited Members to a reception at 6.15 pm in the Private Dining Room in memory of the late Eliza Ward who had recently been awarded the George Medal.
4.2 Members discussed the impact of the coming elections on Plenary business. It was AGREED to consider the implications for Question Time in the event of any deferral of Plenary business.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 29 May 2001, 15 minutes after close of business, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 5.09 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker