§ 11. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration he has given to paragraph 2.40 of the First Report from the Select Committee on Procedure so far as it relates to Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MasonThe Government will shortly be putting forward proposals to the House for the further consideration of the Procedure Committee's report.
§ Mr. PowellI recognise the improvement in the process of legislation for Northern Ireland due to the negative procedure clause device, but may I ask the Minister to discuss with his colleague the Lord President of the Council the advantages of the procedure recommended by the Select Committee, following on the recommendation of the Renton committee's report, to meet his wish to keep the Northern Ireland statute book intact?
§ Mr. MasonI am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. As he knows, I should like to keep the Northern Ireland statute book intact. I shall have discussions with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House because of the specific reference to Northern Ireland in the report.