§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Leader of the House I beg to move the Motion standing in her name on the Order Paper.
In moving this Motion I ought to take the opportunity to thank the usual channels for agreeing that this important piece of delegated legislation should be discussed today even though the Joint Committee has not yet reported on it. This is necessary given the timetable for the discussions arising out of the Belfast agreement. I recognise that Business Motions such as this are unusual but I hope that in the circumstances of this particular subject the House will feel able to approve the Business Motion today.
Moved, That Standing Order 70 (Affirmative Instruments) be dispensed with to enable the Motion to approve the draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 to be taken this day notwithstanding that no report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments on the draft order has been laid before the House. —(Lord Williams of Mostyn.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.