The Session was resumed in public at 12.20 pm.

PUBLIC SESSION

7.  AMENDMENTS TO RULES

Motion made, and Question proposed:

That the Amendments to Rules 29 and 30 proposed by the Steering Committee in Document No. 57 be made with immediate effect. -(Mr Kevin McNamara):.

Mr Kevin McNamara (Hull North) moving the motion, informed members that the amendment to Rule 29 was purely technical and arose because the British side was now being financed through a grant-in-aid and not through the IPU and that it was therefore proposed to remove the reference to the IPU. The amendment to Rule 30 arose from discussions at the Steering Committee concerning ways in which Associate Members could be involved more directly with the workings of the Body. It was felt that by assigning Associate Members to a panel attached to each Committee, circulating them with the papers associated with the Committee to which they were attached, and allowing them to vote and to count towards the quorum of such Committees when they were nominated to attend, they would have a greater involvement in the Body.

The Chairman indicated that the suggestion had the full endorsement of the Steering Committee.

Senator Pascal Mooney sought clarification on the nomination of substitutes.

Mr Kevin McNamara (Hull North) indicated that the provision was intended to maintain a party balance.

Lord Merlyn-Rees indicated, purely for information, that Members of the House of Lords did not receive a salary, but only receive an allowance for attendance.

Mr Kevin McNamara (Hull North) recognised the problem for the Members of the House of Lords who attended other bodies.

Ordered, That the Amendments to Rules 29 and 30 proposed by the Steering Committee in Document No. 57 be made with immediate effect.