Minutes of Proceedings

The Committee met at 10.14am in private session.

1. Deputy Chairman's Introduction

The Deputy Chairman welcomed members to the twenty-fourth meeting of the Committee.

2. Apologies

Apology received from Sir J Gorman.

3. Declaration of Interests

The Deputy Chairman, Mr Roy Beggs, 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 15 January 2002.

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 29th January 2002. (Proposed: Mr K McCarthy, Seconded: Mr J Wells)

5. Matters arising from the minutes

Declaration of Members' Interests.

The Committee considered a draft minute reminding Assembly Members of their obligation to declare relevant interests when participating in committee and plenary business and when tabling questions or amendments.

Members also noted guidance advising that membership of local councils should be declared under category 2 in the Register of Members' Interests.

Dr I Adamson joined the meeting at 10.20 am.

The Committee instructed the Clerk to circulate the minute to all Assembly Members.

Mr A Doherty joined the meeting at 10.23 am.

Update on complaints about Assembly Members

The Clerk advised that the Assembly Ombudsman has written to those named in the three complaints referred to him by the Committee but has not yet received replies and that the Committee will be kept informed of progress.

Amendment to Standing Orders

The Committee noted a letter of 29 January 2002 from the Chairman of the Committee on Standards and Privileges to the Chairman of the Committee on Procedures. This requested the latter to table proposed amendments to Standing Orders which would enable the Committee to recommend to the Assembly the imposition of a sanction or penalty for a breach of or failure to comply with the Assembly Code of Conduct.

6. Complaints requiring detailed investigation

Members noted amendments to the procedures developed for the investigation of complaints against Assembly Members. The Principal Clerk advised that he has written to the Assembly's Director of Legal Services seeking advice on whether these procedures would be likely to comply with some of the principles in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

7. Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members

The Chairman invited the Principal Clerk to address the Committee on an outline paper proposing a detailed review of the Assembly "Code of Conduct" and "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members".

The Principal Clerk provided a background to the existing Code and Guide, outlined the nature of the proposed inquiry or review and suggested a possible timetable for publication of a Committee report.

Mr D McClelland joined the meeting at 10.45 am.

Members were content with the broad outline and timescale of the proposal for this inquiry but agreed that further discussion would be necessary in relation to some of the details regarding the review of the Assembly "Code of Conduct".

The Committee instructed the Clerk to prepare a draft Press Release announcing the inquiry.

8. Any Other Business

House of Lords Constitution Committee Inquiry into Inter-institutional Relations in the United Kingdom

Members noted a letter of 9 January 2002 from the Speaker to all Committee Chairs regarding the House of Lords Constitution Committee Inquiry into Inter-institutional Relations in the United Kingdom.

The Committee agreed that the scope of this Inquiry did not fall within the remit of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Visit of Sir Nigel Wicks

The Deputy Chairman reminded members that Sir Nigel Wicks, the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life will meet with the Committee on Tuesday 12 March 2002.

9. Date and Time of Next Meeting.

The Committee provisionally agreed to meet on Tuesday 26 February 2002 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.54 a.m.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman