---

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I would like to say something about the amendment not being moved. I said at the start ofthe last debate that I had considerable sympathy with the views expressed about the current Order in Council process. We have obviously listened to the words and the votes of your Lordships’ House expressed today and on previous occasions and the Government will reflect carefully and urgently on them. We have said that we do not want to focus on a plan B and that will continue to be the case. However, I am advised that the amendment needs some more work, which we will urgently look at. In other words, we shall have to come back at Third Reading with another amendment. I will not hide behind the fact that the amendment is technically deficient and would not work; I am not saying that, but in order to give sense and purpose to what is accepted, some work will have to be done in the next few days.