s 51B Secretary of State’s powers in relation to reduction of financial assistance
(1) This section applies if— (a) the Monitoring Commission has, or members of that Commission have under the agreement establishing it, made a report containing a recommendation about steps the Assembly might consider taking; (b) the taking of those steps by the Assembly requires the passing by it of a resolution under section 51A(1), (2) or (3) in relation to a political party; and (c) the first motion for a resolution under that provision in relation to the political party concerned that is put to the vote after the making of the report does not attract cross-community support. (2) Where this section applies because of the failure of a motion for a resolution under section 51A(1), the Secretary of State may by direction provide that the whole or a specified part of any financial assistance payable for a specified period under the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 to the political party concerned shall not be payable (subject to subsection (5)). (3) Where this section applies because of the failure of a motion for a resolution under section 51A(2) to extend the period by reference to which a reduction under section 51A(1) falls to be made, the Secretary of State may, before the end of that period, by direction extend that period (subject to subsection (5)). (4) Where this section applies because of the failure of a motion for a resolution under section 51A(3) to extend the period by reference to which provision for non-payability under subsection (2) applies, the Secretary of State may, before the end of that period, by direction extend that period (subject to subsection (5)). (5) The Secretary of State may exercise the power under subsection (2), (3) or (4) only if he is satisfied that the political party concerned— (a) is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means; or (b) is not committed to such of its members as are or might become Ministers or junior Ministers observing the other terms of the pledge of office. (6) The period by reference to which provision for non-payability under subsection (2) applies shall come to an end if— (a) the Secretary of State by direction so provides; or (b) the Assembly is dissolved. (7) In subsection (1)(a) “ the Monitoring Commission ” means the Commission mentioned in section 1 of the Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc. ) Act 2003. (8) In this section a reference to— (a) the period by reference to which provision for non-payability under subsection (2) applies, or (b) the period by reference to which a reduction under section 51A(1) falls to be made, is, where the period has been extended, a reference to the period as extended.