§ 15. Ms SouthworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to ensure that proposals contained in the Belfast Agreement are enshrined in legislation. [54776]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe proposals in the Belfast Agreement are contained in the Northern Ireland Bill which was introduced to this House on 15 July, receiving its Third Reading on 31 July. Following consultations with the Northern Ireland political parties a number of changes and technical amendments were introduced after the Bill received its Second Reading in another place on 5 October. I expect the Bill to complete its parliamentary stages within the next few weeks opening the way for the Belfast Agreement to take effect in the new year.