Orders of the Day — Northern Ireland Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 10:45 pm on 16 June 1982.

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Photo of Mr John Farr Mr John Farr , Harborough 10:45, 16 June 1982

I was about to say that I should like to see Green Paper or White Paper matters referred to the Assembly for its view, in the same manner as regional councils and county councils in England and Wales express an opinion on such things for the benefit of the Government.

With that in mind we should be in a much better position because the Assembly would be able to express a direct opinion It would still leave the three types of subordinate legislation with the House of Commons. We would not divest ourselves of one of them, as suggested by the right hon. Member for Down, South. Nevertheless, it would be helpful and valuable if the Assembly could present such an opinion as and when required by the Secretary of State. The best way of achieving that NS to support amendment No. 43 to leave out subsection (2).