HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc596-7
Mr. Paul Murphy

I beg to move amendment No. 35, in page 18, line 29, after 'to' insert 'a person who is or has been'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments Nos. 36 and 37.

Mr. Murphy

The amendments tidy the provisions for calling witnesses and documents. Subsection (4) makes it clear that the Assembly does not have the power to summon Ministers of the Crown or persons in Crown employment about the discharge of their functions before the appointed day. It is a sensible provision that mirrors the Westminster convention that Ministers are not given sight of material shown to their predecessors.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments made: No. 36, in page 18, line 30, after 'person' insert 'who is or has been'. No. 37, in page 18, line 38, at end insert— '() a person discharging functions of any body whose functions relate to excepted matters, in connection with the discharge by him of those functions;'.—[Mr. Ingram.]

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