Part IV The Northern Ireland Assembly

26 Privileges, remuneration, etc.

F1C11

Subject to subsection (1A) below and to any provision made by Measure, the powers, privileges and immunities of the Assembly and of its members and committees shall be the same as those for the time being held and enjoyed by the House of Commons and its members and committees.

1A

Neither the Assembly nor its committees shall have power—

a

to require any person to give evidence, or to produce any papers, relating to any matter other than one in respect of which the Assembly has power to pass a Measure not requiring the consent of the Secretary of State; or

C2b

to require any person to give evidence, or to produce any papers, relating to any matter which is or has been within his responsibility as a Minister of the government of the United Kingdom or as an officer of a department under the control of any such Minister.

2

There shall be paid to each member of the Assembly such salary and allowances as may be prescribed by Order in Council; and provision may be made by Order in Council for the payment of pensions to or in respect of persons who have been members of the Assembly.

F22A

An Order in Council under subsection (2) above increasing the salaries or allowances payable to members of the Assembly may be made with retrospective effect.

3

Any salary or allowances payable to a member by virtue of an Order in Council under subsection (2) above shall accrue from the date on which he is returned as a member but shall not be payable unless he takes his seat in the manner prescribed by standing orders.

4

Special provision may be made by Order in Council under subsection (2) above in respect of the member who is the presiding officer of the Assembly and in respect of such other members (if any) as may be elected by the Assembly to discharge other functions in relation to the Assembly.

5

Any salaries or allowances payable by virtue of an Order under subsection (2) above, and any sums required by such an Order relating to pensions to be paid out of public funds, shall be defrayed out of moneys appropriated for that purpose by Measure.

6

Any Order in Council under subsection (2) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order.

7

A member of the Assembly may resign his seat by giving notice in writing to the presiding officer of the Assembly; and if a seat becomes vacant by resignation, death or disqualification the presiding officer shall as soon as practicable inform the Assembly thereof.

8

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