HC Deb 10 July 1981 vol 8 c758

Lords amendment: No. 16, after clause 6, insert— C. An Order in Council made under paragraph 1(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974 which contains a statement that its purposes correspond to those of this Act shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament instead of he order or a draft of the order being subject to the procedure set out in paragraph 1(4) or (5) of that Schedule.

Mr. Wigley

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this we may discuss Lords amendment No. 18.

Mr. Wigley

These amendments extend the Bill to Northern Ireland, which clearly is desirable and which I should have liked to do at an earlier stage had not the technicalities dealing with Northern Ireland legislation been beyond my capability at that stage. I am glad that it has been possible for the Government to suggest a form of words by which this can be done that is acceptable to those in Northern Ireland who have to live with legislation by order rather than with substantive primary legislation. The amendment is an essential feature, none the less, in that disabled people in Northern Ireland—that beleaguered Province—should have the same benefits as people in other parts of the United Kingdom under the Bill.

Mr. Rossi

The clause was inserted in the Bill during the Committee stage in another place at the instigation of Baroness Masham of Ilton. At the time, it was welcomed both by the Government and by the official Opposition. I should like to take the opportunity of this occasion to endorse the Government's support for it. From my own recent knowledge of the affairs of the Province, I am sure that its people, particularly those with a special interest in the care of the disabled, many of whom I had the honour and privilege of meeting when I was working in Northern Ireland, will welcome the fact that the provisions of the Bill are to be reproduced in the Province. I am particularly pleased that this should happen in this International Year of Disabled People.

Question put and agreed to.

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