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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his good-humoured responses. I am now even more convinced that the solution to the noble Lord’s problems lies in my amendment, which, I hope, brings Northern Ireland pretty much into line with the United Kingdom on these matters and will tidy up all sorts of things. Certainly, my grandfather was a member of the Conservative and Unionist Party, was Chief Whip in the other place and was a Minister of agriculture. Our parties have been together. The Conservatives now have one councillor in a local authority and we are very much involved in Northern Ireland politics. I beg to test the opinion of the House. On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 9) shall be agreed to? Their Lordships divided: Contents, 148; Not-Contents, 111. Clause 13 [Section 12: supplementary]: