Lord Alderdice (Initial Presiding Officer)

Mr I Davis

Mr D Ford

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr R Hutchinson (representing Mr C Wilson)

Mr A Maskey

Ms J Morrice (representing Prof M McWilliams)

Mr E McGrady MP

Mr M Morrow

Mr P Robinson MP

Mr D Watson

Mr J Wilson

Mr N Carson

Mrs G Campbell

Miss A Moore

Mr N Johnston

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Accommodation: The DFP move out of Parliament Buildings is still on target.

Stationery: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that mock-ups of the embossed version of headed stationery have been approved. Fully recycled paper will be used. As a temporary measure to allow members a small stock of business cards quickly, arrangements have been made to photocopy members' details on cards. A note giving the details of the template to use was circulated to the Committee.

Mr P Robinson pointed out that Mrs I Robinson had requested additional envelopes but was refused. The matter will be looked into.

Stationery from Westminster: A catalogue of stationery available at Westminster was circulated.

Recycling: The Initial Presiding Officer advised the Committee that the new stocks of headed stationery and the Christmas Cards were using fully recycled paper. A note on the use of recycled and environmentally friendly paper by the Assembly Secretariat was also circulated to the Committee. The Initial Presiding Officer said that it will be a matter for the Shadow Assembly Commission to formulate a policy regarding recycling. The matter will be returned to.

Post-Paid Envelopes: The order for post-paid envelopes is being put to tender by the Royal Mail.

Telephone Directories: Telephone directories are now available for each member. They will be provided as members move into their rooms.

Bar Snacks: Sandwiches are now being made available from the Members' Bar.

3. AGENDA FOR FUTURE PLENARY MEETINGS

Plenary Meeting on 9 November 1998: The Initial Presiding Officer pointed out that at present the only scheduled item of business is the presentation of a Report by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Procedural Consequences of Devolution.

The Initial Presiding Officer reminded the Committee that the Minister for the Department of Finance and Personnel, Mr Paul Murphy MP, is prepared to make a presentation on the Comprehensive Spending Review on 9 November but that he would need to be advised if the Assembly intends to take this as an item of business. After discussion it was agreed that the Minister should be asked to make a presentation and members should be given the opportunity to ask questions. Details on the format and timing were discussed, and will be revisited in detail next week.

It was also agreed that any report which might be forthcoming from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister should be given preference and may result in less time being available for other business.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Petitions and Other Forms of Lobbying: The Initial Presiding Officer asked the advice of the Committee on how lobbying of the Assembly through the presentation of petitions should be handled and drew a distinction between the Assembly and the Executive. After a brief discussion it was agreed that letters and petitions should be accepted by the Principal Doorkeeper and passed to the Executive Support Office for appropriate action.

A paper on the sponsorship of lobby groups is to go to the Shadow Assembly Commission on 27 October. The Initial Presiding Officer said that it is up to individual members to sponsor lobby groups if they wish, but these are not public meetings. Their purpose is to lobby members and lobby groups should not invite outsiders to attend.

Qualified Privilege: An extract from the House of Lords Hansard of 19 October confirming that the Assembly would be given full privilege from the date the Northern Ireland Bill receives Royal Assent was circulated.

Shadow Assembly Commission: Mr J Wilson asked if CAPO should be defining its role as some matters which should be dealt with by the Shadow Assembly Commission are being dealt with by CAPO. The Initial Presiding Officer said that there are a number of grey areas at the moment and that the role of the Shadow Assembly Commission will become more defined as the Northern Ireland Bill develops.

IT Training: Mr J Wilson enquired about IT training. The Initial Presiding Officer said members should liaise with Mr Allan Black through Party Whips regarding their training requirements.

Access to the Public Gallery: Ms Morrice enquired about access to the public gallery for groups. The Initial Presiding Officer said that there is no block booking facility available and that seats are subject to availability. A draft policy document is due to be presented to the Shadow Assembly Commission in the near future.

5. DATE TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on Monday 2 November at 10.00 am.

NIGEL CARSON