Present:
The President
Mrs E Bell
Rev R Coulter
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr D McClarty
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr J Wells

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting of 2 July 2001 were AGREED and signed by The President.

2. MATTERS ARISING

None

3. REPORT ON 47^th CONFERENCE OF THE COMMOMWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION 7-14 SEPTEMBER 2001

3.1. Rev R Coulter provided Members with a report on the Conference in Australia where the NI Assembly was readmitted to CPA membership. He stated that it was a very impressive conference which catered for representatives from 56 countries however it was somewhat overshadowed by the events in America on 11^th September. Rev Coulter emphasised the importance and value of sending delegates to all future CPA meetings.

Mr Wells acknowledged the input to the report by Mr Moir and briefed Members on the wreath laying ceremony which they took part in at the War Memorial Museum. Mr Wells thanked the staff who organised the visit and suggested that an official letter of appreciation should be sent to the organisers in Australia as he has already sent a personal thank you note. Members AGREED that a letter of thanks to the CPA branch in Australia should be issued.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 Executive Committee

The President suggested that a meeting of the Executive Committee should take place to discuss how the branch intended to celebrate Commonwealth Day, nominate one Member to attend the Conference in Westminster to mark the golden jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and decide on how best to take forward an invitation from CPA headquarters to send two young people from Northern Ireland to attend Commonwealth Day celebrations in London.

The Executive Committee would also have to decide on Associate Official Membership of the branch. It was AGREED that a meeting of the Executive Committee would take place on Monday 3 December at 4.00pm in the Reading Room.

Mr Paisley Jnr suggested approaching the New Opportunities Fund to seek financial assistance for any events organised to celebrate Commonwealth Day. The President suggested that Mr Paisley Jnr and Mr Hutchinson in his capacity as Treasurer of the branch should take this issue forward.

4.2 CPA Representatives,Ottawa, Canada

The President advised Members that a late request had been received by the branch to send two delegates to a Parliamentary Seminar in Ottawa, Canada, on 18 - 24 November 2001. Due to time constraints it was decided to nominate Mrs Hanna and Mrs Carson to attend. On their return they will prepare a short report on the visit which will be presented at the next meeting.

4.3 BRITISH ISLES & MEDITERRANEAN REGION ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2002

The President advised Members that the Regional Conference will be held in Wales between 8 - 13 April 2002. A programme and an invitation for a delegation from the branch will be issued early in the new year.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place in January 2002.

The meeting adjourned at 4.40 pm.