division_name: Northern Ireland Bill - Exclusion of Ministers from office
motion: <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 11, in page 3, line 20, leave out 'or with Community law'.
  <p> 
      Mr. Deputy Speaker:   
   With this, it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments Nos. 12, 20 to 22, 44 to 49, 59 and 60.
   
  
  <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 13, in page 5, line 16, at end insert--
   
  
  <p> 
    
  '( ) Standing orders may, in relation to different types of Bill, modify provisions made in pursuance of subsection (1).'.
   
  
  <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 16, in page 7, line 11, leave out 'The Assembly shall' and insert
   
  
  <p> 
    
  'Each Assembly shall, within such period beginning with its first meeting as is specified in standing orders,'.
   
  The amendment provides that there should be a new election of First Minister and Deputy First Minister after every election, and that that election shall take place within a period specified in the Standing Orders. Clearly, that is a sensible arrangement and I commend it to the House.
   
  
  <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 17, in page 7, line 33, after second 'office' insert
   
  
  <p> 
    
  'which, together with the code of conduct to which it refers, is'.
   
  
  <p>Amendment agreed to. 
  <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 19, in page 9, line 9, at end insert
   
  
  <p> 
    
  'or an officer nominated by him for the purposes of this section'.
  <p>Amendment agreed to. 
  
   <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 20, in page 9, line 37, after 'act', insert--
   
  '(a)''. 
   
  No. 21, in page 9, line 37, leave out 'or' and insert--
   
  '(b) is incompatible'.
   
  No. 22, in page 9, line 38, at end insert--
   
  '; or
   
  (c) discriminates, or aids or incites any person to discriminate, against a person or class of person on the ground of religious belief or political opinion.'.-- [Mr.  Paul Murphy.] 
  
  <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 23, in page 9, line 39, leave out ', 21 and' and insert 'to'.
  <p> 
      Mr. Deputy Speaker:   
   With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment No. 3, in clause 22, page 11, line 18, leave out from 'equal' to end of line 20 and insert
   
  
  <p>Amendment agreed to. 
  
   <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 24, in page 10, line 18, at end insert
   
  
  <p> 
    
  'and may make provision having retrospective effect'.
  <p>Amendment agreed to. 
  <p> 
   Amendments made:  No. 25, in page 11, line 20, at end insert--
   
  '(5A) Standing orders shall provide that--
   
  (a) a Minister may not be the chairman or deputy chairman of a statutory committee; and
   
  (b) in making a selection under the provision made by virtue of subsection (3)(a), a nominating officer shall prefer a committee in which he does not have a party interest to one in which he does.
   
  (5B) For the purposes of subsection a nominating officer has a party interest in a committee if it is established to advise and assist a Northern Ireland Minister who is a member of his party.'.
   
  No. 26, in page 11, line 23, leave out '(5)' and insert '(5A)'.-- [Mr.  Dowd.] 
  <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 27, in page 11, line 29, at end insert 'or'.
  <p> 
      Mr. Deputy Speaker:   
   With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following: Government amendment No. 28.
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 225, Noes 21.
   