An apology was received from Ms Morrice.

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

All Party Interest Groups: The matter is dealt with under Item 6.

Headed Paper: A note was included in All Party Notices (APN/8) to remind members that headed stationery should not be used for making notes and jottings. Members were also advised that plain paper will be provided at the lobby desk.

Refreshments in the Chamber: Members were informed in All Party Notices (APN/9) that members may bring glasses of water into the Chamber, glasses will be provided beside the water cooler in the Members' Lobby.

Comprehensive Spending Review: Ministerial replies arising from questions to the Minister have been sent to the members concerned. Members were informed in All Party Notices (APN/11) that copies of these replies have been forwarded to the Initial Presiding Officer and that he has placed them in the Library.

Report by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Procedural Consequences of Devolution: The Report was sent to Speaker of the House of Commons. This was subsequently forwarded to Mr N Winterton MP, Chairman of the House of Commons Procedure Committee. It was confirmed that this is an appropriate method of communicating such reports to Westminster.

3. COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS

The Initial Presiding Officer advised the Committee that the Royal Mail intends to produce a set of commemorative stamps once all three devolved administrations are in place. Royal Mail have asked if it would be acceptable to use the New Northern Ireland Assembly emblem as a basis for the design of one of the stamps. Members indicated they would like to consult with their parties.

4. HEALTH CONSULTATION DOCUMENT AND FUTURE PLENARY MEETINGS

The Presiding Officer informed members that Mr McFall would be available on the morning of 15 December to speak to the consultation document on hospitals. He added that he thought it would be unhelpful if there was not a further plenary meeting before Christmas and was mindful that there was still a relevant UKUP motion on the No Day Named list which could be considered for debate.

In the discussion which followed all members present either agreed to or had no objection to a further plenary sitting before Christmas. Mr C Wilson formally requested that the UKUP motion on the Belfast Agreement should be on the Order Paper. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would decide when he had seen what other motions, if any, were submitted by Tuesday at 5.00 pm.

If a number of motions on the Belfast Agreement are received the Initial Presiding Officer will select one for debate. In this case a list of all motions received will be circulated to the Committee for information.

Agreed: A plenary meeting should take place week commencing 14 December.

Business should include the health consultation document "Putting it Right", a Motion on the Belfast Agreement, other Motions from the list of No Day Named Motions as appropriate and an adjournment debate.

If the amount of business demands the plenary could take place on 14 and 15 December.

The Minister, Mr McFall MP, should be invited to make a 10-20 minute presentation which would be followed by a substantive debate at the end of which the Minister would have an opportunity to respond.

5. CHRISTMAS RECESS

The Committee agreed a two week recess commencing 18 December. The Initial Presiding Officer also asked the Committee to give some thought to the summer recess.

6. ALL PARTY INTEREST GROUPS

The Committee asked for more time to consider the draft proposals.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Organisational Structure: Copies of the Assembly Secretariat organisational structure were circulated. The Initial Presiding Officer reported that a researcher has been employed in the Library to undertake research on behalf of members.

Accommodation for Members: The Initial Presiding Officer said that most members should now have been provided with a room and office equipment. Ms Lewsley pointed out that she had not received computer equipment. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would look into the matter.

Committee Rooms: It is intended to fit out 2 Committee Rooms for recording purposes, quotations are currently being sought. The Senate Chamber will be fitted out with both recording equipment and cameras for use when public hearings are required.

Pigeonholing of Documents: The Committee's guidance was sought on pigeonholing of papers that are not enveloped but appear to be politically sensitive or offensive. It was agreed all material received for members must be enveloped and addressed to the relevant member. All other pigeonholing arrangements remain as before.

Christmas Reception: Mr C Wilson asked if anything could be done by members to show gratitude to staff especially Doorkeepers and Caterers for their hard work during the year. The Initial Presiding Officer reported that he has written to Mr Murphy MP seeking funds to hold a reception on Thursday 17 December in the Great Hall for staff and party workers, but that he has not yet received a reply. As soon as funding is approved a note giving the relevant details will be issued.

Official Report Editors: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that a sub-editor to transcribe Irish for the Official Report has now been employed. There have been a number of difficulties in finding someone suitable to transcribe Ulster-Scots but the search is continuing.

Simultaneous Translation: The Initial Presiding Officer said that a report is being prepared on the use of simultaneous translation. It will be for the Committee on Standing Orders to decide if such a service is required. However as the Initial Presiding Officer may be required to make a ruling on something said in either Irish or Ulster-Scots he will need a simultaneous translation service for himself even if it is decided such a service is not required for all members. Mr C Wilson asked that it be recorded that he considers this to be a waste of time and money and that he feels it is merely a cosmetic exercise.

8. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be at the call of the Chair.