MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 26 JUNE 2001 AT 1.00 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.04 pm.
Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds MP
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr C Murphy
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McGrady MP
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson
In attendance: Mr A Moir 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: Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Ms J Morrice
Sir J Gorman
Apologies: Mr A Maskey
Ms M McWilliams
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting of 19 June 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Questions - Intranet Access to Written Answers
Members discussed whether written answers could be published on the Intranet the day after receipt from the Minister. It was AGREED that answers should not be published on the Intranet until the Monday following their receipt.
2.2 Question Time
Following queries raised in respect of Question Time by Members, the Speaker reported that he had discussed Question Time procedures with the Deputy Speakers. The opportunity for a response by way of a personal statement had been offered to the Minister for Social Development in respect of Question Time on Monday 18 June 2001. The Speaker observed that it was disappointing that a number of Members who had tabled questions for oral answer on Monday 25 June were not present at the appropriate time. As well as being discourteous to the Assembly, their absence denied other Members the opportunity to ask supplementaries.
The Question Time rota for the 2001 session was AGREED. The first Question Time will take place on 10 September 2001 and Members may table questions for answer on 10 and 17 September on 3 and 4 September.
For the current session, the Speaker advised Members that the Business Office will accept questions for written answer up to and including 6 July 2001. Written answers will be published on 27 July with a final booklet on 3 August 2001. All questions are to be answered by 3 August 2001.
The Speaker noted that some written answers to questions have been outstanding since Christmas and notified Members he would be raising the matter with the Head of the Civil Service.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 2 JULY 2001
3.1 Members AGREED that there should be a Plenary Meeting on Wednesday 4 July to allow 3 Bills to have their Final Stage. It was AGREED by 49 votes to 47 that Private Members' Business should also be tabled for that day.
3.2 Members noted that the Budget Bill would have its Consideration Stage on Monday 2 July. Should any amendments be tabled and selected for the Bill, it was AGREED that a Motion to suspend Standing Order 10(6) from the Executive would be on the Order Paper so that the sitting could continue after 6.00 pm. It was AGREED that business on Monday would be conducted on a rolling basis and that the Motion on the Regional Development Strategy would be interrupted for Question Time, if necessary.
3.3 On this basis, business for the Plenary Meetings on 2, 3 and 4 July 2001 was discussed, Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Condolences
The Speaker noted that few responses had been received to the Consultation Paper on Condolences that had been previously circulated. This being the case, and taking into account research by the Clerk to the Assembly which showed no clear procedures in other places, it was AGREED to deal with the matter on an ad hoc basis. In response to a query the Speaker undertook to check the position in relation to the Consultation Exercise re Royal/VVIP Visits.
4.2 No Day Named Motions
Members discussed the current system whereby Motions are placed on the No Day Named List and selected by the Business Committee. It was noted that other models for tabling Private Members' Business could be possible and the matter should be considered next session. It was AGREED that the date each Motion was tabled should be included on the No Day Named List next session. It was further AGREED that the Business Office would provide Members with a list of Private Members' Motions debated this session, listed by Political Party.
4.3 Contingencies
Members discussed the legislation and Standing Orders relating to the potential resignation of the First Minister. The Speaker advised the Committee that he would make an announcement at the commencement of business on Monday 2 July if the resignation had taken place.
4.4 Plenary Business
Members discussed the issue of whether plenary business should operate on a rolling basis. The Speaker reminded Members of the difficulty where the proposer of the subsequent business is not present in the Chamber and of the responsibility for this which rested with Party Whips.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 3 July 2001, at 12.30 pm, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 2.23 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker