Page 88 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 8 April 1992
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MR CORNWELL: There were 32. One member - I see no reason why I should not mention Mr Stevenson's name - Mr Stevenson, had 12 of those MPIs. Four of them, I might add, were in conjunction with other members, which is perfectly reasonable and proper. Indeed, it is exactly what I am seeking to do. It would seem to me, therefore, that there should be no complaint from any member of this Assembly, including Mr Stevenson, who in the past has had an MPI brought up with the support of other members - he himself has set a precedent in doing so - about the requirement that two members, and not one, support an MPI. May I also add, Madam Speaker, that in my opinion a good MPI will always receive the support of other members.
It really is a matter of whether we amend standing orders to require two members to sign an MPI going forward, Madam Speaker, or perhaps arrange that the support is given on the floor of the chamber when the matter comes before us. I understand that there is a proposal to remove this to the Administration and Procedures Committee for further consideration. I have no objection to that proposal. I simply conclude by saying that I believe that the proposal to have two members to support an MPI will prevent, or at least reduce, individual grandstanding. It will save time and I believe that it will more truly reflect the wishes of the Assembly. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (11.12): Madam Speaker, in order that the headmaster's figures can be checked, I move: That the matter be referred to the Administration and Procedures Committee for consideration and report.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Berry, you need either to move an amendment to the motion or to seek leave to move that.
MR BERRY: I seek leave to move a motion along the lines I just mentioned.
Leave granted.
MR BERRY: I move:
That the matter be referred to the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedures for consideration and report.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
STANDING ORDERS - CALLING FOR A VOTE
MR CORNWELL (11.13): I move:
That standing order 153 (relating to calling for a vote) be amended by omitting "a Member", and substituting "two Members".
Members, this means that for a division to be called in this chamber two members, not one, would be required, on the voices. I will be very brief on this, Madam Speaker. I will simply refer to Hansard No. 16, of 27 November 1991, in relation to the Human Rights Bill. On that one day alone there were 14 divisions called by one person. The vote in each case was 16-1. If you allow for the hourglass there - - -
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