§ Mr. McGradyI beg to move amendment No. 34, in page 3, line 5, after 'otherwise', insert
'and may provide other assistance for the negotiating teams'.The amendment is not earth shaking and I shall not dwell on whether a word should be "may" or "shall". I leave that to the discretion of the Secretary of State. Clause 6 (1) gives the Secretary of State power, permissive rather than mandatory,
to pay allowances to delegates returned in accordance with Schedule 1, whether by reference to days on which they attend the forum or participate in negotiations or otherwise.161 The amendment simply extends the "otherwise" to suggest that the Bill should
provide other assistance for negotiating teams".It is a simple matter. The amendment enlarges the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's ability to provide, where necessary and appropriate, some support for the parties, especially the smaller parties, in relation to secretarial back-up, research facilities or other matters that would enable them better to fulfil their function at the negotiating table. It is no more than that. It allows the Secretary of State to consider any problems in the matter and to have, therefore, provision in the Bill to extend additional aid or assistance.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI can deal with this matter promptly and, I think, shortly and satisfactorily. The hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady) has made a valid point that, to ensure an effective negotiation, negotiating teams must be properly supported. We acknowledge that and are keen to make whatever financial arrangements are reasonably necessary to enable that to happen.
We propose to pay allowances to delegates for attendance at either the forum or for the purpose of the negotiations and to pay travel and subsistence allowances, including for support staff and research grants. We have asked for comments on what would be an appropriate level of research grant to make available to the parties.
That would all be in line with the payments made to the parties in the previous talks in 1991 and 1992. Additionally, however—I think that this is of particular interest to the hon. Gentleman—in response to representations, we are considering whether it would be appropriate to make payments to parties participating in the negotiations to help to defray the cost of additional support staff and to meet the expenses of people who may, under paragraph 11 of the ground rules, support their party's negotiators without themselves being elected delegates. We will also consider what other practical assistance might be feasible.
Such allowances and payments would be in line with what the hon. Gentleman has in mind in his amendment. He can be reassured that our thinking is already on the right lines. It will be informed as it develops by what he has said. In the light of that, I hope that he will withdraw his amendment.
§ Mr. McGradyIn view of what the Secretary of State has said—that the ambit and purpose of the amendment are covered—I am happy to beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Clause 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.