§ 12. Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the responsibilities of local authorities in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI have no plans to address this in isolation. I believe, however, that there is considerable scope to transfer greater responsibility to locally elected representatives in Northern Ireland. Any proposals regarding regional or local government would need to be widely acceptable and accordingly are best considered in the context of further political talks.
§ Mrs. GormanMy right hon. and learned Friend will be aware that all planning applications in Northern Ireland have to be referred to the Secretary of State or to the Northern Ireland Office, whether it is for a chicken shed, a conservatory or whatever? Does he agree that local councillors in Northern Ireland—increasing numbers of whom are Conservative, incidentally—would like to be able to settle such matters locally because they relate to local domestic disputes?
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI warmly agree with my hon. Friend. It is absolutely absurd that planning matters of relatively slight importance in the overall scheme of things should be dealt with by Ministers at Stormont. I should like to be the last Secretary of State charged with that responsibility. However, one cannot deal with that aspect of political advance in isolation. If it is to work, it has to be founded on a basis that is widely acceptable. That is why I believe that it should be considered in the context of the political talks.