§ Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
§ 10.30 p.m.
§ Mr. Stratton MillsI wish to raise one brief point, not in a contenious fashion, to establish the facts of the situation.
My understanding of the clause is that somebody who was elected to the Assembly, standing as a wrecker on a policy of abstention, need not attend, yet would be entitled to be paid a salary as a Member of the Assembly. This seems an absurd situation. Is my understanding correct and will my right hon. Friend let me have his comments on it?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe position is as stated by my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills). There is little value in making strict conditions about salaries, because they can so easily be got round. It seemed right to decide to pay the salary and to leave it at that. There are so many ways of getting round whatever rule we may have that I did not consider it wise to try to put anything like that in the Bill.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause 26 ordered to stand part of the Bill.