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Northern Ireland Bill

I have serious worries about the sweeping dictatorial powers that the clause seems to give the Secretary of State. I want to know why he believes the powers are necessary, and I should like him to give examples of occasions on which he would need to use them. The clause provides for the Secretary of State to make, by order,"““any supplementary, incidental or consequential provision””" and"““any transitional or saving provision””" that he considers expedient. Clause 4 states that the powers in clause 3 are exercisable by affirmative resolution unless the Secretary of State considers it expedient to pass the orders by negative resolution. In other words, if the Secretary of State considers it expedient, he can do anything that he likes. He can amend Acts of Parliament without Parliament having to vote. Before we give the Secretary of State those broad powers, we expect an explanation and some examples of the occasions on which he intends to use them.