§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list in the Official Report the 20 delegations of councillors which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) saw from the main political parties in Northern Ireland before publishing his discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland;
(2) if he will list in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland (a) which councils were represented by which parties and (b) which councils were represented by joint delegations composed of representatives of which parties.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 2 November 1987]: I received delegations, at separate or joint meetings, from the following councils and political parties: Antrim (SDLP and UUP); Ards (DUP and UUP); Armagh (DUP, SDLP and UUP); Banbridge (DUP and UUP); Ballymena (DUP and UUP); Belfast (SDLP and UUP); Carrickfergus (DUP and UUP); Craigavon (SDLP); Cookstown (SDLP); Derry (DUP); Down (SDLP); Dungannon (UUP); Fermanagh (DUP and UUP); Larne (DUP and UUP); Limavady (DUP, SDLP and UUP); Lisburn (Alliance and UUP); Magherafelt (DUP); Newtownabbey (DUP and UUP); North Down (Alliance, DUP and UUP); and Strabane (DUP). Councillors from the two unionist parties attended joint meetings, along with a number of Independent Unionists. The other political parties were represented at separate meetings.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland, which of the councils involved had subscribed to the Fair Employment Agency's declaration on fair employment.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 2 November 1987]: Belfast, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Magherafelt and Newtownabbey councils had signed the Fair Employment Agency's declaration of principle and intent.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern 782W Ireland, which of the councils represented had limited or refused to conduct their business after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 2 November 1987]: Of the councils whose members took part in the 20 meetings held, protest action against the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement resulting in some form of disruption of council business was taken by Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Cookstown, Craigavon, Dungannon, Lame, Limavady, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and North Down councils.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to him, in relation to the 20 delegations of councillors which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Wiltshire, North saw, concerning the discussion paper on elected representatives and the democratic process in Northern Ireland, as to which of the delegations were mandated by their councils and which by political groups.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 27 October 1987]: None.