HC Deb 30 October 1987 vol 121 cc471-2W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the cost to public funds to date of briefing lobbyists in the United States of America on Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the campaign on the MacBride principles;

(2) what has been the cost to public funds to date of briefing politicans in the United States of America on Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the campaign on the MacBride principles;

(3) what has been the cost to date to the British embassy in Washington and British consulates in the United States of America of Her Majesty's Government's opposition to the campaign on the MacBride principles in the United States of America;

(4) what has been the cost to date to his Department and Her Majesty's Government's campaign of opposition to the campaign on the MacBride principles in the United Kingdom and the United States of America;

(5) how many officials have been involved to date in work directly related to the campaign on the MacBride principles in the United Kingdom and the United States of America;

(6) what have been the legal costs to date of the Government's opposition to the campaign on the MacBride principles in the United Kingdom and the United States of America;

(7) what has been the cost to date to the Department of Economic Development in Northern Ireland of the Government's opposition to the campaign on the MacBride principles in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Mr. Viggers

The explanation of Government policy and achievements in the field of fair employment in Northern Ireland is one of a range of closely related tasks, shared among the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including diplomatic posts overseas. It would be disproportionately expensive to seek to isolate the costs, and other details, of this one specific aspect of their activities.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many documents have been published in the United States in relation to Her Majesty's Government's campaign on the MacBride principles.

Mr. Viggers

None. However a number of publications reflecting the development of Government policy in relation to fair employment in Northern Ireland are available in the United States, including the following:

  • Guide to the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976
  • Equality of Opportunity in Employment in Northern Ireland: Future Strategy Options: A Consultative Paper
  • Fair treatment for All
  • Religious Equality of Opportunity in Employment Guide to Effective Practice.