Present:
Mr D McClelland (Chairman)
Mr R Beggs Jnr (Deputy Chairman)
Dr I Adamson
Mr A Doherty
Mr P McNamee
Mr D O'Connor

Apologies:
Mr P Berry
Sir J Gorman
Mr K McCarthy
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells

In Attendance:
Mr J TorneyMrs C Darrah
Mrs D Williams

The Committee met at 9.30 a.m. in private session.

The Chairman reminded members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 27 June 2000. (Proposed: Dr Adamson, Seconded: Mr Doherty.)

The Committee agreed to suspend normal Committee business while taking evidence on the possible appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards. The Chairman will convene a special meeting to deal with any urgent business.

At 9.45 am the Committee moved into public session.

The following witnesses were called and examined:

Mr Richard Penn, Independent Adviser on Standards to the National Assembly for Wales
Sir Clifford Boulton GCB, Committee on Standards in Public Life

The Committee adjourned at 12.00 noon. Mr Mc Clelland resumed the chair in public session at 2.00 pm.

The following witness was called and examined:

Mr Peter Bottomley MP, House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges

The Committee agreed to meet on Friday 22 September at 9.45 am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 3.00 pm.

Mr Donovan Mc Clelland
Chairman