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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

On Second Reading, which was not so long ago—13 March—the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland assured the House that "““the Bill provides for the introduction of an anonymous registration scheme and a new late registration window””—" whatever that is. He continued: "““The measures broadly mirror changes being introduced in the rest of the United Kingdom by the Electoral Administration Bill, as the Government believe””—" I am delighted about this— "““that it is right that the citizens of Northern Ireland should enjoy the same rights as those of the rest of the UK.””—[Official Report, 13 March 2006; Vol. 443, c. 1175.]" So say all of us. The people of Northern Ireland do indeed deserve to enjoy the same rights as those in the rest of the United Kingdom. Amendments Nos. 23 and 24 would delete provisions in clause 1. I take great exception to the fact that instead of the people of Northern Ireland being treated as the Secretary of State undertook just over a month ago, they are to be treated differently in relation to anonymous registration. I recognise that there are circumstances in Northern Ireland where anonymous registration is essential. Not long ago there was a break-in at a secure office in Castlereagh police station. Files were taken that compromised the security of many members of the security services. Prison officers, police officers and others feel strongly that their details—name and address—can be located if they register to vote in Northern Ireland. This is a serious issue. Anonymous registration is required when individuals feel that their security—or perhaps that of their family who register to vote in Northern Ireland and exercise their franchise, as they are entitled to do—would be compromised if their names were submitted on the electoral register. Of course, a balance must be struck to ensure that those who have genuine concerns about their identity being traced by using their entry on the electoral register are covered by a provision for anonymous registration. However, clause 1(1)—the strange and curious provision before us today—refers to a curious animal called "““section 10 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006””." As the Minister and other hon. Members will know, there is no such thing as the Electoral Administration Act 2006. That is still a Bill, which is being considered in another place, where it may be amended before it returns to the House. As we all know, after a long voyage of discovery and amendment in another place and in the House, what may appear currently to be clause 10 of the Electoral Administration Bill may become a section with any other number. I should like the Minister to explain—I will listen very carefully—why the people of Northern Ireland will be treated differently. Once again, they will be treated to the obnoxious procedure of an Order in Council. Clause 1(1) begins with the words ““An Order in Council””. May I say quietly and gently to the Minister that I am absolutely sick, sore and weary of delegated legislation being used in Northern Ireland? Yesterday, we had a prime example, when the Secretary of State made a statement in the House indicating that he believed that the best way to govern Northern Ireland was by local people. Within an hour, through delegated legislation, the format of local government in Northern Ireland was changed by an Order in Council—no amendment in Committee and no debate on Report or Third Reading. That is an appalling way to legislate for Northern Ireland, and we now see it once again. Clause 1(1) deals with an Order in Council to provide for anonymous registration in Northern Ireland "““only for purposes corresponding, or similar, to those of””" so-called "““section 10 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006””." If the people of Northern Ireland are to be treated in the same way as the people of the rest of the United Kingdom, as the Secretary of State assured us on 13 March, and clause 1(1) indicates that the Order in Council will only make corresponding, or similar, provision to that already in the Electoral Administration Bill, I wonder whether the Minister will kindly explain why the people of Northern Ireland are not being treated in the same way as those in the rest of the country.