§ 2. Mr. Molyneauxasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the maps showing the final boundaries for the district councils, together with adjustments made necessary by the proposed system of proportional representation in local government elections.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. David Howell)Copies of the order prescribing the boundaries and wards of the new district councils, together with relevant maps, are now on public display throughout Northern Ireland. It is too soon to say what adjustments may be necessary to group wards into proportional representation electoral areas.
§ Mr. MolyneauxAs the democratic processes have been set aside in Northern Ireland, with a consequent shift in power to the streets, will my hon. Friend do all in his power to make possible the survival of political parties in Northern Ireland, and perhaps assure us that, if proportional representation is a success there, the Government will extend it to the whole of the United Kingdom, regardless of the views of the two major parties in this House?
§ Mr. HowellNo, I will not give that assurance. We believe that we should concentrate our efforts now in Northern Ireland on channelling the activity there into political activity, moving towards local elections on the basis of proportional representation.
§ Mr. FittIs it intended to hold the local government elections under proportional representation before or after the plebiscite?
§ Mr. HowellAfter.
§ Captain OrrHow will this matter be debated in the House? Will it arise on an Order in Council? Normally, of course, there would have been an Order in Council or regulation at Stormont.
§ Mr. HowellThe legislation dealing with the proportional representation groupings of wards will come before the House probably as an Order in Council.