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Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. In speaking to the new clause, I hope I will address the final part of the remarks of the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath). The new clause provides a guarantee that the salaries of certain judicial office holders in Northern Ireland may not be reduced. As I said, the statutory salary protection is a crucial part of judicial independence. We have just passed clause 36, which provides it for tribunal office holders. With the inclusion of the provisions concerning England and Wales giving statutory protection for tribunal judges, we saw an opportunity to bring salary protection for the judiciary in Northern Ireland into line with that in England and Wales. That is what the new clause will do.