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Northern Ireland Bill

I was not claiming to myself anything new. I was particularly pleased that yesterday, at the beginning of the Secretary of State’s contribution on Second Reading, the right hon. Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) was quick off his feet to correct the Secretary of State, who had referred to the Assembly coming back. Lest there by any doubt whatever, I pay tribute to the right hon. Member for North Antrim for pointing out, quite rightly, that we are discussing a new body. I regret it if I suggested otherwise. That was not my intention. However, the right hon. Gentleman does reinforce the need for amendments Nos. 21 and 22, which would christen the body a ““Forum”” rather than the ““Assembly””. I have referred to media reports giving the impression that the new institution—the new Assembly—is not a different institution. The two are being confused in the minds of the media, at least, but they are certainly not confused in the minds of the right hon. Gentleman, his colleagues, the Social Democratic and Labour party and the one Ulster Unionist. The Financial Times for Thursday 27 April states:"““Mr Hain is recalling the province’s assembly on 15 May.””" The Belfast Telegraph for Wednesday 26 April states:"““The report””—" the Independent Monitoring Commission report—"““which says paramilitary activity is at a three-year low—seems likely to guarantee a smooth start to Assembly sittings in 18 days””." Again, that gives the impression that the new body is the old Assembly, which it clearly is not. That is why my amendments would call the new creature—with, I am sure, the endorsement of the right hon. Gentleman—a forum, or a talking shop, because that would be a more appropriate description than the confusing double title of the Assembly.