Clause 2 - Certification commissioner
Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill
9:00 am
I take the hon. Gentleman’s point. We would need to discuss and explore that matter further. We did not get into it specifically in the amendment, because we can see arguments for and against. Those arguments could also arise in relation to the appeals commissioners. It might be that where a unanimous decision cannot be taken, a matter will have to be automatically referred to the appeals commissioners. There are a number of ways of dealing with the issue. We are trying to establish the principle that just as there are appeals commissioners—plural—sitting collectively, so should there be certification commissioners.