Section 1.
1Meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Secretary of State directs.
2Proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with standing orders.
3(1)The Secretary of State shall appoint—
(a)the initial presiding officer, and
(b)the initial deputy presiding officer.
(2)Standing orders may make provision for the replacement of the presiding officer or the deputy presiding officer by the Secretary of State or by the Assembly.
4The Secretary of State shall secure the provision of the services of such staff, the use of such premises and such other facilities as he thinks appropriate.
5(1)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the payment of salaries and allowances to members who have taken their seats in the manner prescribed by standing orders.
(2)An order under this paragraph—
(a)may have retrospective effect, and
(b)may make different provision for different cases.
6A member may resign his seat by giving notice in the manner prescribed by standing orders.
7If a seat becomes vacant by reason of resignation, death or disqualification the presiding officer shall as soon as reasonably practicable inform the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.
8A written or oral statement made by a member in or for the purposes of the Assembly (or any committee it may establish) shall be privileged from action for defamation unless it is proved to have been made with malice.
9In the definition of “parliamentary proceedings” in section 178 of the [1988 c. 48.] Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (definitions) after “the Northern Ireland Assembly” insert “, of the New Northern Ireland Assembly”.
10(1)References to standing orders are to orders determined by the Secretary of State from time to time and notified to the presiding officer.
(2)Section 6(1) does not apply to standing orders.