Part 6: Status etc.
204.Paragraph 33 provides that the Council is not to be regarded as a servant or agent of the Crown; it does not enjoy any status, immunity of privilege of the Crown; and the Council’s property is not Crown property.
205.Paragraphs 34 to 37 amend the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24) and the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25) provisions so as to disqualify members of the Council from membership of the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly. They also amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36), the Public Records Act 1958 (c.51) and the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c.13) so as to make provision about the Council.
206.Paragraph 38 provides an exemption from liability for damages for anything done by the Council, any member of the Council or any of its committees or sub-committees, the Chief Executive or any member of the Council’s staff in the exercise (or purported exercise) of the Council’s functions. This exemption does not apply where the act or omission was in bad faith. Nor does it prevent an award of damages made in respect of an act or omission which is unlawful as a result of section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42).
