1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Work Programme
4. Any Other Business
5. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Present:Mr C Murphy (Chairman)
Mr A Agnew (arrived 3:14 pm)
Mr T Benson
Mr A Maginness
Mr D McClarty (left 4:08 pm)
Mr P McNamee

Clerk to the Committee: Mr J Reynolds

In attendance: Mr J Crozier
Mr J Gillespie

Apologies:Mr R Hutchinson

The meeting commenced at 3.05 pm.

1. The minutes of the meeting of 20 September were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

2. Format for Standing Orders. The Committee agreed the new format for Standing Orders and tasked the Clerk to enquire if the printing of individual names on the front of the booklet would add to the cost.

2.1 Financial Legislation. The Clerk summarised the meeting between the Chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee and the Speaker in which a number of proposals to address this issue were discussed. The Committee agreed to consider any proposals submitted by the Finance and Personnel Committee.

3. PROC/5/2000. Standing Order 40. Carry over of Legislation to next session: Deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

3.1 Operational Advice Notes to Standing Orders: Copies of the advice notes were issued to the Members. It was agreed the Committee would discuss the booklet at the next meeting of the Committee.

3.2 Visit to the Scottish Parliament. The Committee agreed to adopt the arrangements as outlined by the Chairman. Members would indicate to the Clerk their availability to visit the Scottish Parliament to facilitate the booking of flights and accommodation.

3.3 Timing of Party Business. The Committee agreed to consult with the Members who were absent from today's meeting before writing to the Chairman of the Business Committee seeking its views on the possibility of setting aside further time before the commencement of business on a Monday to allow Parties time to conduct business.

3.4 Convention and Procedural Guidance. Members agreed to study papers PROC/11/2000 and PROC/12/2000 and return to this issue at the next meeting of the Committee.

3.5 Reports to the North-South Ministerial Council. The Committee agreed to monitor the procedure as it stood at the moment before recommending any changes.

3.6 Appointments to the Assembly Commission. The Committee tasked the Clerk to seek clarification on paragraph (4) of the draft Standing Order.

3.7 The Committee agreed to invite Mr P J Emerson of The de Borda Institute to make a presentation on the system for Electronic Multi-option Voting on 29 November 2000.

4. PROC/10/2000 The Committee agreed to commence an enquiry into the legislative process in the terms described by PROC/10/2000.

4.1 Proc/13/2000. Members agreed to defer this issue until clarification was received from the Clerk of Committees on paragraph (d) of the draft Standing Order.

4.2 The Committee asked the Chairperson to raise with the Speaker the procedures which might used in the event of a motion on condolence being moved in the Assembly.

5. The next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 18 October 2000 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings at 3.00 pm.

The meeting closed at 4.31 pm.

C MURPHY
Chairman