5 June 1992

SUB-GROUP ON WESTMINSTER LINKS

ANNOTATED AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION

1. Role of the Secretary of State

(The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland would remain accountable to Parliament for matters which were not transferred.)

2. Excepted and Reserved matters

("Excepted" matters would be remain the responsibility of the UK government; "reserved" matters could be moved into the transferred category at some future date. All other matters could be "transferred". The precise extent of the categories would need to to be decided.)

3. Legislation on "Excepted" matters

(Primary legislation on "excepted" matters would be by Bill at Westminster. [NB There is a power to make electoral law by Order-in-Council.] Assembly could have powers to make ancillary provisions on "excepted" matters with Secretary of State's consent; those provisions could be laid before Parliament).

4. Legislation on Reserved matters

(Legislation on reserved matters could be

i. by Measure of the Assembly with the Secretary of State's consent and subsequently laid before Parliament; or

ii. by Bill; or

iii. by Order-in-Council [affirmative or negative resolution]

Parliamentary time would be an important constraint.)

5. Consultation on Proposed Legislation

(The Assembly might be consulted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on proposals for Orders-in-Council on reserved matters.)

6. Financial matters

(For initial discussion in other sub-group.)

7. EC matters

(For initial discussion in other sub-group.)

8. Scrutiny of Executive Functions

(The possible establishment of a Northern Ireland Select Committee would be a matter for the House of Commons).

9. Other Issues

TALKS/302/MD