Minutes of Proceedings

The Committee met at 10.05 a.m. in private session.

1. Chairman's Introduction

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

2. Apologies

An apology was received from Dr I Adamson.

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 21 May 2002

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 21st May 2002. (Proposed: Mr A Doherty: Seconded: Dr D O'Hagan).

5. Matters arising from the minutes

Legislation - Committee Bill

Members noted that there had been no responses to the consultation advertisement placed by the Committee in the local press inviting written memoranda on the Committee's intention to introduce primary legislation to enable the Assembly Ombudsman to fulfil the role and function of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

The Committee also noted that three of the four legal firms approved by the Assembly Commission to draft the legislation had responded with the fourth firm expected to respond by the closing date of 28 May.

The Clerk advised the Committee that the tenders would be assessed by the Procurement Office and the Bill Office and undertook to keep the Members informed accordingly.

6. Committee Inquiry/Review of "The Code of Conduct" and "The Guide to

the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members"

The Committee noted the recent debate at Westminster, which discussed the adoption of amendments to the Code and the Guide. A new "Code of Conduct" together with "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members" had been approved.

The Clerk undertook to obtain and circulate copies of the new Code and Guide that was published on 21 May.

Procedure for Complaints

The Committee instructed the Clerk to draft a document for inclusion in the Procedure for Complaints setting out a "Rectification Procedure" which may be followed in cases where a member admits failure to register or declare interests and the interest involved was minor or the failure to register or declare was inadvertent.

The Committee also instructed the Clerk to issue a letter to Party Whips advising of the change in these procedures.

Continuation of Review of the Assembly Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members

The Committee continued its review of "The Code of Conduct" and "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members" and reconsidered a number of outstanding issues.

Mr J Wells left the meeting at 10.29 a.m.

Members agreed that the draft Consultation Report should be amended to take account of the issues addressed and instructed the Clerk to circulate this to members for consideration prior to the next meeting of the Committee.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 11 June 2002 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.40 a.m.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman