---

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I associate myself with the remarks of the hon. Members for North Down (Lady Hermon) and for Belfast, East (Mr. Robinson). I entirely agree with the hon. Lady about Orders in Council, which are indeed a wholly unsatisfactory way of proceeding. We all know why it is done, but it is important for the Government to deal with the problem. If the Government’s deadlines announced from the Dispatch Box yesterday are not met—we all hope that they will be, but know why they might not be—we will have to make some other provisions. It was most unfortunate that an Order in Council, affecting the whole local governance of Northern Ireland, was made yesterday without any opportunity for amendment, particularly when virtually all the political parties in Northern Ireland had expressed real misgivings about the number of the new local authorities to be constituted. That, however, is by the way. It remains an apposite illustration, but I shall not digress any further, Sir Alan, as you would rebuke me. The matter should be dealt with on the record and I hope that the Minister will say something about it. The hon. Lady also made a good point about the Electoral Administration Bill and I am particularly concerned about the fact that it will not apply to Northern Ireland. Many hon. Members in their places today will know that the Government were particularly helpful when I sought to amend the Bill to prevent the sort of ridiculous delay that occurred in my constituency last year as a result of the tragic death of one of my opponents. I could not have asked for greater co-operation from any Government, whatever their political complexion, in trying to amend legislation. First, I brought in a ten-minute Bill and the Minister—the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman)—gave her agreement to what I was trying to achieve, but suggested that it could be tagged on to the Electoral Administration Bill. I readily accepted her suggestion and she and her officials worked closely with me, for which I remain extremely grateful. I am glad to put that on the record again. However, if the same position arises in Northern Ireland at the next general election and a candidate for any of the Northern Ireland constituencies dies, the hon. Members who represent them would have to go through the long, protracted delay that I had to face. That is absurd, as the problem would not arise anywhere else in the UK. It is therefore essential that the relevant provisions in that legislation come into force for Northern Ireland, at least in that particular. The hon. Member for Belfast, East was concerned that, if the hon. Lady’s amendment were accepted and no proper amendment to the Electoral Administration Bill were made, anonymous registration would be put seriously at risk. Indeed, it would not apply in Northern Ireland. I am unhappy about some of the almost pro-consular powers that go with the Secretary of State’s office at the moment, but I would still prefer the anonymous registration promised in the Bill, even with all its imperfections, than run the risk of having no anonymous registration at all. The hon. Member for Belfast, East was entirely right to point that out. It is good, particularly at the beginning of consideration of a Bill, to see both the Unionist parties singing from virtually the same hymn sheet—and long may that continue. I hope that the probing amendment—for that is what it is—so elegantly and eloquently introduced by the hon. Member for North Down will result in some assurances from the Minister, which we would all welcome. I want to test your patience for just a little longer, Sir Alan. Earlier today, we heard a most eloquent tribute from the leader of the Democratic Unionist party to Her Majesty the Queen. We all listened and, I am sure, inwardly applauded what he said, as we also applauded the admirable speeches of the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition. However, modesty forbade the right hon. Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) from saying that he had already reached that milestone. He has recently celebrated his 80th birthday. I am in no position to comment on the condition of his soul, but I can certainly say that he is young at heart. I know that I speak for everybody in the Chamber and those who are not here in congratulating him on his 80th birthday and wishing him many long years to come.