I thank the noble Lord for the professional way in which he explained the order to us. I read it very much with tongue in cheek; I went through the Explanatory Memorandum in detail. I spent many years in the construction industry, which is closely associated with street works of...

I thank the noble Lord for the professional way in which he explained the order to us. I read it very much with tongue in cheek; I went through the Explanatory Memorandum in detail. I spent many years in the construction industry, which is closely associated with street works of...

But.

But.

Draft SI on Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland). Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Draft SI on Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland). Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

I thank the Minister for laying the order before us so clearly. I agree that we are not well equipped to debate the details of the order in this Committee. Would that it were being debated in Stormont. I, too, have today read the Hansard debate, and noted a number...

I thank the Minister for laying the order before us so clearly. I agree that we are not well equipped to debate the details of the order in this Committee. Would that it were being debated in Stormont. I, too, have today read the Hansard debate, and noted a number...

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. Going back to the administration figures that he mentioned, Mr Lidington has referred in the other place to the provision for administrative costs for Northern Ireland departments in 2005-06. If we compare that with the provision for 2004-05, and the actual expenditure...

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. Going back to the administration figures that he mentioned, Mr Lidington has referred in the other place to the provision for administrative costs for Northern Ireland departments in 2005-06. If we compare that with the provision for 2004-05, and the actual expenditure...

Draft SI on budget (no. 2) (northern ireland). Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Draft SI on budget (no. 2) (northern ireland). Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My name is added to this amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Smith of Clifton, and I colluded seriously, including in our collusions the Clerk of the Parliaments, to ensure that we got the technical end of the amendment right—or three-quarters right. I have believed for a long time, as I have said on different...

My name is added to this amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Smith of Clifton, and I colluded seriously, including in our collusions the Clerk of the Parliaments, to ensure that we got the technical end of the amendment right—or three-quarters right. I have believed for a long time, as I have said on different...

moved Amendment No. 13:"Page 7, line 28, after ““by”” insert ““Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of””" The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 14 to 17, which are in my name. These are largely probing amendments to explore the nature of the role of the chief electoral officer and his independence from...

moved Amendment No. 13:"Page 7, line 28, after ““by”” insert ““Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of””" The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 14 to 17, which are in my name. These are largely probing amendments to explore the nature of the role of the chief electoral officer and his independence from...

I rise to speak to the amendments standing in my name and to support the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Smith. I am afraid that some of what I am about to say will be a repetition of what the noble Lord, Lord Smith, has said. I have a great deal of sympathy with the...

I rise to speak to the amendments standing in my name and to support the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Smith. I am afraid that some of what I am about to say will be a repetition of what the noble Lord, Lord Smith, has said. I have a great deal of sympathy with the...

moved Amendment No. 23:"After Clause 16, insert the following new clause—" ““PLEDGE TO UPHOLD RULE OF LAW In section 18 of the 1998 Act (Northern Ireland Ministers) after subsection (8) insert— ““(8A) A Northern Ireland Minister shall not take up office until he has made a declaration before the Assembly pledging to uphold the rule of...

moved Amendment No. 23:"After Clause 16, insert the following new clause—" ““PLEDGE TO UPHOLD RULE OF LAW In section 18 of the 1998 Act (Northern Ireland Ministers) after subsection (8) insert— ““(8A) A Northern Ireland Minister shall not take up office until he has made a declaration before the Assembly pledging to uphold the rule of...

We definitely feel there is a need for the anonymity option in Northern Ireland. We would prefer the Secretary of State not to have proconsul powers in this respect. I particularly support Amendment No. 2, under which people can be anonymous if they pass a harm test, meet the prescribed requirements and...

We definitely feel there is a need for the anonymity option in Northern Ireland. We would prefer the Secretary of State not to have proconsul powers in this respect. I particularly support Amendment No. 2, under which people can be anonymous if they pass a harm test, meet the prescribed requirements and...

I rise to speak to Amendments Nos. 5, 7 and 9 in the group referring to the timing of the canvass. I believe that the Government were right to introduce an annual canvass at the time, and I support them in their judgment that that annual canvass has done its job. However, I am in line with...

I rise to speak to Amendments Nos. 5, 7 and 9 in the group referring to the timing of the canvass. I believe that the Government were right to introduce an annual canvass at the time, and I support them in their judgment that that annual canvass has done its job. However, I am in line with...

I have listened intently, and with a great deal of sympathy, to noble Lords who have spoken on this amendment. We all share the hope that the political situation in Northern Ireland can be normalised as soon as possible and that the special provisions that have been in place for so...

I have listened intently, and with a great deal of sympathy, to noble Lords who have spoken on this amendment. We all share the hope that the political situation in Northern Ireland can be normalised as soon as possible and that the special provisions that have been in place for so...

I have two or three points to make about my amendments. I accept that the Government have made a step forward. Whether it is a big step, I do not know, but it is certainly not big enough for us. I am concerned about consistency with the Irish Government. I would be much happier if...

I have two or three points to make about my amendments. I accept that the Government have made a step forward. Whether it is a big step, I do not know, but it is certainly not big enough for us. I am concerned about consistency with the Irish Government. I would be much happier if...

I thank the Minister for his response. I accept a great deal of what he has said because I have listened to him before and I know that he feels as strongly about this issue as I do and we do. I suspect that at the end of the day it will be a question of...

I thank the Minister for his response. I accept a great deal of what he has said because I have listened to him before and I know that he feels as strongly about this issue as I do and we do. I suspect that at the end of the day it will be a question of...

It strikes me that the 2010 canvass could be a good guideline. If in 2010 it is found that the canvass is significantly inaccurate, might the Government think again about whether 10 years is too long?

It strikes me that the 2010 canvass could be a good guideline. If in 2010 it is found that the canvass is significantly inaccurate, might the Government think again about whether 10 years is too long?

I seem to be alone on this one, for some reason that I am not quite sure about, perhaps because I have not been here in the past few days, doing some homework and drumming up support. I thank the Minister for her response, which I shall read with care, but I suspect that I shall return...

I seem to be alone on this one, for some reason that I am not quite sure about, perhaps because I have not been here in the past few days, doing some homework and drumming up support. I thank the Minister for her response, which I shall read with care, but I suspect that I shall return...

Will Her Majesty’s Government come back to Parliament with their proposals after the consultation? Does the Minister agree that this electoral legislation in Northern Ireland would be extremely appropriate for the rest of Great Britain?

Will Her Majesty’s Government come back to Parliament with their proposals after the consultation? Does the Minister agree that this electoral legislation in Northern Ireland would be extremely appropriate for the rest of Great Britain?

I absolutely agree.

I absolutely agree.

As far as Northern Ireland is concerned, plan B is direct rule. That is understood. It is tacitly there. What shape that direct rule will take, we do not know. The difference between the House of Lords and the House of Commons—I said earlier that I do not fully understand the Commons—is...

As far as Northern Ireland is concerned, plan B is direct rule. That is understood. It is tacitly there. What shape that direct rule will take, we do not know. The difference between the House of Lords and the House of Commons—I said earlier that I do not fully understand the Commons—is...