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Northern Ireland Bill

As the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid) said, clause 3 allows the Secretary of State to make orders in relation to matters arising as a result of things done under the Bill. It is intended to be used to sweep up any consequential or unforeseen matters relating to, particularly, the recall of the Assembly, the repeal of the 2000 Act, the postponement of elections or the dissolution of the Assembly. For reasons that I hope are understood by both the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) and the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute, the Bill was put together in some haste following the decision of the Prime Minister and the Government to adopt this route. Changes may well be needed that would require primary legislation unless we gave the Secretary of State this power. The power is focused and not meant to have a widespread application. The Bill is short and concise and, in any event, the level of detail required in an order made under clause 3 is not suitable for inclusion in primary legislation. In case there is any misunderstanding, I can assure Members that clause 3 cannot be used to effect changes to, for example, the operation of the institutions as envisaged under the comprehensive agreement of December 2004.