Present:
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Weir

Apologies:
Mr Billy Bell
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Peter Robinson

In attendance:
Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Mrs Margaret Miskelly (Clerk)
Mr Joe Sloan (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Mr Jonathan Briggs (Administrative Support)

The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.50 p.m. The meeting was held in public session

1. Apologies

1.1. Mr Billy Bell, Mr Nigel Dodds, Mr Derek Hussey, and Ms Patricia Lewsley.

2. Minutes of Proceedings

2.1. Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 08 May 2001.

Members considered the reply from the Assembly Legal adviser to Mr D Kennedy's letter. The Committee agreed this factor would not have changed their overall approach to the exemptions contained in Clause 3 of the Bill.

Members noted the letter to Sir Herman Ouseley inviting him to the meeting next week. The Chairman stressed the need to have a quorum.

The Principal Clerk explained that the Business Committee has decided that the Product Liability Bill would now be dealt with by the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

4. PPP Inquiry

The Committee Clerk briefed members on the forthcoming visit to London. He explained that due to quorum difficulties last Friday, evidence sessions with Unison and NIPSA would be re scheduled for next Tuesday 22 May at 2pm. and Transport 2000 on 29^th May. The Chairman stressed the need for a quorum.

The Chairman reminded members that there would be no meeting on Tuesday 5th or 12th June. He asked members if a meeting on Thursday 14th June would be suitable.

Resolved: Members agreed that a meeting should be held on Thursday 14^th June.

Officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel briefed the Committee on Review of Procurement and explained that there would be further opportunities later on to put forward their views. The members noted the content of the letter from the Department dated 4 May. The Officials explained that they were unable to provide information to the Committee on how much was spent locally on Procurement due to the difficulty in obtaining data.

Officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel briefed the Committee on the Main Estimates. Members noted the Minister's letter dated the 15^th May seeking the views of the Committee by 25 May on the proof copy of the Estimates for year ending 31 March 2002. The Minister will meet the Chairman and Deputy Chairman on Monday regarding 2002/03 Financial Year Departmental Bids and will meet Committee on Tuesday 22 May. Members were asked to note the letter dated 14 May from the Minister regarding this.

The Committee agreed the next meeting on Tuesday 22^nd May 12.30p.m.