Minutes of Proceedings

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION

~ NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BRANCH ~

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2002 AT 4.00 PM

IN THE READING ROOM, LIBRARY

The meeting began at 4.05 pm

Present: 
The President
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Hamilton
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr D Ervine
Ms J Morrice
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wells

Apologies:
Mr F Agnew
Mr R Beggs
Mrs E Bell
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford

In attendance:
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Mr J Torney Principal Clerk, Overseas Office
Mr J Reynolds Principal Clerk of Committees
Ms G Campbell PS Speaker
Ms E Gillen Overseas Office

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting of 19 November 2002 were AGREED and signed by The President.

2. MATTERS ARISING

• The President noted that a letter of thanks had been sent to Mr Jim Prender, Clerk Assistant, Australian Parliament, expressing gratitude for the hospitality shown to the delegation from the NI Assembly during the 47^th CPA Conference.

• The President noted the Report on the CPA Canadian Parliamentary Seminar, Ottawa, 18 - 24 November 2001 by Mrs J Carson, which has been circulated to Members.

• The President noted that at a meeting of the Executive Committee on 3 December 2001, Mr Wells requested a copy of Reports from 13^th meeting of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Canberra 11 September 2001 and 12^th meeting of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, United Kingdom 22 September 2001. Copies of these Reports have now been circulated to Members.

• The President informed Members that all women MLAs are automatically members of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP). The database of membership, which is held by CPA Headquarters, has been updated to reflect women's membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Within the Annual Conference there are always meetings of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. There is a comprehensive website ( www.cpahq.org) which gives a dedicated coverage of CWP events.

3. 33^rd Conference of The British Isles and Mediterranean Region

The President informed Members of the forthcoming Conference of The British Isles
and Mediterranean Region in Wales, 8 - 12 April 2002 and asked for nominations. 
In the absence of nominations at the meeting the President Agreed that Members
could put themselves forward to attend and he would select four delegates. 
This could be through the Speaker's Office or the Overseas Office.

4. Commonwealth Day, March 11, 2002

Mr Roger Hutchinson, Chairperson of Sub Group updated Members on the plans for Commonwealth Day. The Draft Programme of events was circulated to Members.

He informed Members of the Schools Competition, which invited all Primary P7 classes to take part in a project on "Celebrating Diversity". The overall winner would receive a prize to the value of £200 and runner-up prizes of £100 to a winning school in each area Board.

Invitations have been issued to the following; local athletes who have won medals in the Commonwealth games, a selection of Commonwealth students presently studying here, representatives from ethnic minority groups, primary schools, all MLAs, and Associate Officials of CPA.

Mr McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure will launch a multi-media exhibition on "the connections which link our region to the wider world".

The keynote speaker will be Lord Glentoran and it is hoped to have Sir Mark Tully, former BBC India Correspondent. The overall cost will be in the region of £3,000.

5. Commonwealth Speakers' Conference, Botswana

The Speaker presented his Report on Botswana Commonwealth Speakers' Conference and copies of the report were circulated to Members.

6. Visit by Mr Denis Marshall, Secretary-General, CPA

The Speaker informed Members that the newly appointed Secretary-General of the CPA, will be visiting the Assembly on 8^th April 2002. During his visit he will address a meeting of the CPA Branch.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

7.1 Rolling Education Programme

The Speaker informed Members that he is interested in having a rolling education programme for young people set up, similar to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which has an impressive Education Centre. He has already approached the Minister for Education regarding the secondment of two teachers to the NI Assembly to set up this programme. The Minister has agreed to explore this request.

7.2 48^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Namibia 1-14 September 2002

The President asked Members to consider topics for the next Conference in Namibia. The Conference will be organised broadly along the lines of the previous CPA meeting in Australia where topics for discussion included;

Poverty Alleviation, 
Strengthening Parliament's oversight role in the battle against corruption and 
Gender sensitising Parliaments in the Commonwealth.

7.3 Annual Membership Fee

The President noted that the Annual Membership Fee amounting to £5,615 for 2002 has been paid to CPA Headquarters.

7.4 Invitation to Queen Elizabeth II

The President noted a letter from Mr Roy Beggs requesting "That the NI Assembly Branch of the CPA extend an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II to visit the NI Assembly in the year of her Golden Jubilee". The President explained why he felt that this was not a competent proposal.

7.5 CPA Shop

The President noted that a list of items available from the CPA shop had been circulated and that items could be purchased on line or through the Overseas Office.

8. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting to be arranged. 
The meeting adjourned at 4.35 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The President