In Schedule 3 (reserved matters), after paragraph 7 insert—

“7A

The alteration of the number of members of the Assembly returned for each constituency.

This paragraph does not include—

(a)

the alteration of that number to a number lower than five or higher than six, or

(b)

the provision of different numbers for different constituencies.”

After section 7 insert—

“7ACross-community support required for Bill altering size of Assembly

(1)

The Assembly shall not pass a relevant Bill without cross-community support.

(2)

In this section—

“pass”, in relation to a Bill, means pass at the stage in the Assembly's proceedings at which the Bill falls finally to be passed or rejected;

“relevant Bill” means a Bill containing a provision which deals with a matter falling within a description specified in paragraph 7A of Schedule 3 (size of Assembly).”

In section 14 (submission by Secretary of State), after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A)

The Secretary of State shall not submit a Bill for Royal Assent if the Assembly has passed the Bill in contravention of section 7A (cross-community support required for Bill altering size of Assembly).”