My Lords, these amendments in my name all concern proposed changes to the differentiation in the Bill between Ulster Scots as a recognised national minority and the Ulster British tradition. Following the extensive debate on these matters in Committee, I undertook to consider proposals put forward by noble Lords and, in tabling these amendments, I hope I have fulfilled that commitment.
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Since the original drafting of the Bill, the Government recognised Ulster Scots as a national minority under the framework convention in May. I therefore agree with noble Lords that the Bill as drafted would not seem to draw a clear and adequate distinction between Ulster Scots as a distinct national minority and the Ulster British tradition. This lack of clarity is particularly acute in the title of the relevant commissioner—as drafted,
“the Commissioner for the enhancement and development of the language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition.”
I defy anybody to come up with an acronym for that. Subject to the agreement of noble Lords, the amendments in this group will change the title of the relevant commissioner to “the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British Tradition”, the inclusion of a new instance of the definite article—the word “the” —to differentiate between the two, being crucial here.
Noble Lords may wonder why the Government have not simply changed the references in the Bill to “the Ulster Scots and Ulster British traditions”, plural, as was suggested by some in Committee. We have taken this approach to reflect the fact that the Ulster Scots are a distinct people and now a recognised national minority. To pluralise “tradition” would be to disregard this new status, which delivers on paragraph 24 of Annexe A to New Decade, New Approach. It would overlook the work of the relevant commissioner advising on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, as set out in paragraph 5.16.2 of Annexe E. I should add that in looking into this issue, my officials consulted both the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which share our understanding. Indeed, the Ulster-Scots Agency confirmed that it would be content with the approach set out in these amendments. I beg to move.