Minutes of Proceedings

The Committee met at 10.07 a.m. in private session.

1. Chairman's Introduction

The Chairman welcomed members to the thirty-fifth meeting of the Committee.

2. Apologies

An apology was received from Mr D Hussey.

3. Declaration of Interests

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

4. Minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 28 May 2002

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 28th May 2002. (Proposed: Mr K McCarthy: Seconded: Dr I Adamson).

5. Matters arising from the minutes

Legislation - Committee Bill

The Chairman advised Members that the Procurement Office and the Bill Office had assessed tenders received from those firms approved by the Assembly Commission to draft a Committee Bill to enable the Assembly Ombudsman to fulfil the role and function of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

Members noted that Winckworth Sherwood, Solicitors and Parliamentary Agents, London had been awarded the contract.

The Chairman also advised Members that the first draft of the new legislation had been received and would be considered by the Bill Office, The Ombudsman's Office, the Assembly's Director of Legal Services and the Committee's Clerks.

The Committee noted that the final draft of the legislation together with the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum would be presented to the Committee for consideration and approval.

Mr J Wells joined the meeting at 10.09 a.m.

Procedure for Complaints

Members noted a document outlining a Rectification Procedure which had been included in the "Procedures for Complaints" section of the Inquiry Consultation Report.

The Procedure will enable the Committee to allow a Member to rectify matters in such cases where he/she has admitted a failure to register or declare interests and the interest involved was minor or the failure to register or declare was inadvertent.

The Committee instructed the Clerk to write to Party Whips asking that Party Members be advised of the new procedures.

Mr A Doherty joined the meeting at 10.14 a.m.

6. Committee Inquiry/Review of "The Code of Conduct" and "The Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members"

The Chairman's Draft Report [Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Assembly "Code of Conduct and The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members"], proposed by the Chairman, having been circulated, was taken as read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Front cover of the Report read and agreed to.

Committee Powers and Membership

Paragraphs 1 to 6 read and agreed to.

Committee Report

Paragraphs 1 to 5 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 6 read and agreed subject to amendment.

Paragraphs 7 to 8 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 9 read and agreed subject to amendment.

Paragraphs 10 to 38 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 39 read and agreed subject to amendment.

Paragraphs 40 to 78 read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the Assembly.

The Committee ordered the Report to be printed.

The Committee adopted an extract of minutes regarding the Report. (Proposed: Mr P Berry; Seconded: Mr A Doherty)

Mr K McCarthy left the meeting at 10.27 a.m.

The Chairman thanked the Committee staff for their assistance in progressing the inquiry.

7. Any Other Business

The Chairman advised the Committee that he and the Assembly Ombudsman will give evidence on 14 June to the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which is conducting an inquiry into Standards of Conduct in the House of Commons.

8. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 18 June 2002 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.28 a.m.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman