---

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Given the fact that we have to finish this debate in less than a minute, I do not have time to go through the various arguments that have been made. The new clause is not watertight, but no legislation is. However, as the hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson) said, it would be a significant move in the right direction if we were to adopt it. I therefore have no option but to press the new clause to a vote. Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:— It being after Six o’clock, Mr. Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that hour, pursuant to Order [13 March]. Amendment made: No. 1, in page 20, line 29, at end insert—"‘(3) Section (Sustainable development) extends to Northern Ireland only.'—[Huw Irranca-Davies.]" Amendments made: No. 2, in page 12, line 30, after ‘subsection' insert ‘(2A),'. No. 3, in page 12, line 30, at end insert—"‘(2A) The Act may provide for the department to be in the charge of a Northern Ireland Minister appointed by virtue of a nomination—" No. 4, in page 12, line 40, at end insert—"‘(4A) There must not, at any time, be more than one department in relation to which provision of the kind mentioned in any of subsections (2A), (3) and (4) is made by Act of the Assembly.'." No. 5, in page 13, line 5, leave out from beginning to end of line 10 and insert— No. 6, in page 13, line 13, leave out subsection (3).—[Huw Irranca-Davies.] Amendments made: No. 7, in page 22, line 20, at end insert—"(2) In this paragraph ““devolved policing and justice function”” has the same meaning as in section 21A (see subsection (6) of that section).""and paragraph A3 shall apply instead.""(2) But the references to Ministerial offices in—""shall be taken to include the relevant Ministerial office.""(2) The relevant Ministerial office shall be filled by applying sub-paragraphs (3) to (6) before section 18(2) to (6) is applied in relation to the other Ministerial offices.""(3) The First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly shall nominate a member of the Assembly to hold the relevant Ministerial office.""(4) The nomination shall not take effect unless it is approved by a resolution of the Assembly passed with the support of—""(5) If—""a further nomination of a member of the Assembly shall be made under sub-paragraph (3).""(6) Sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) shall be applied as many times as may be necessary to secure that the relevant Ministerial office is filled.""(7) The holding of office as First Minister or deputy First Minister shall not prevent a person being nominated to hold the relevant Ministerial office.""(8) The relevant Minister shall not take up office until he has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office.""(9) The relevant Minister shall cease to hold office if—""(10) If the relevant Minister ceases to hold office at any time, otherwise than by virtue of sub-paragraph (1), the relevant Ministerial office shall be filled by applying sub-paragraphs (3) to (6) within a period specified in standing orders.""(11) Where—""no member of that party may be nominated under sub-paragraph (3).""(12) Where—""no member of that party may be nominated under sub-paragraph (3).""(13) In this paragraph, a reference to a period of exclusion under any provision is, in the case of a period of exclusion under that provision which has been extended, a reference to that period as extended.'." No. 8, in page 22, line 33, leave out ‘subsections (6) and (7)' and insert ‘subsection (6)'. No. 9, in page 25, line 17, leave out ‘subsections (6) and (7)' and insert ‘subsection (6)'. No. 10, in page 28, line 9, leave out ‘21A(3)' and insert ‘21A(2A), (3)'.—[Huw Irranca-Davies.] Amendments made: No. 11, in page 35, line 25,leave out from ‘after' to end of line and insert ‘““section”” insert ““4(6),””'. No. 12, in page 36, line 10, at end insert— Order for Third Reading read.