§ Baroness Denton of Wakefieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements are being made to explain the working of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Northern Ireland Office to the newly elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. [HL3067]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has initiated the construction of a briefing programme—the transition programme—intended to assist newly elected Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to prepare for their new responsibilities.
The transition programme is being designed, with the participation of internationally renowned advisers and in consultation with representatives of the political parties, to assist Members of the Assembly and Civil Servants in their preparations for the effective functioning of the Assembly when it takes on its full powers after the transitional period.
The programme's objective is to provide as comprehensively as is practicable a background briefing about the workings of the Northern Ireland Public Services, and the Assembly's relationship with other institutions and authorities. The programme will run from July to December 1998.