HC Deb 17 June 1998 vol 314 cc350-2
5. Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston)

What role the new civic forum will play in Northern Ireland following the referendum result on 22 May. [44744]

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Marjorie Mowlam)

As the agreement states, the civic forum will be a consultative and advisory body on social, economic and cultural issues for the Northern Ireland assembly. It will have no formal powers, but will aim to influence decision making by promoting and encouraging informed debate.

Maria Eagle

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that only nine women were elected to the old Stormont Parliament in 50 years, and that was in a House of 78? Does she agree that, if we are to have peace in Northern Ireland, it is vital that women participate more fully in public life there? Given that only 16 per cent. of candidates for the assembly are women, does she agree that the civic forum will at least provide a stepping stone for women to become much more actively involved in public life in the Province?

Marjorie Mowlam

Yes, I do. As we know, many more women are involved in the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland than in the political process, although there are small numbers of women in most of the parties and I hope that their voices will be heard in the assembly. It is up to the people of Northern Ireland in the upcoming elections to see whether they can make that happen with the 50 women who are standing. I hope that the forum will be a voice for women and for the old and young—in fact for people throughout Northern Ireland—so that we can continue to build a sense of community and working together as the months and years go by.

Rev. Martin Smyth (Belfast, South)

Although I welcome the possibility of a civic forum, how will it be selected, bearing in mind the fact that European partnership schemes have often failed to deliver what they were set up to do because of the pressures on the business community and others? Those meant that business people could not attend sufficiently often and that other community representatives who were full-timers, could dominate community aspects.

Marjorie Mowlam

The hon. Gentleman will know that some district partnerships have been very successful, and others less so. Where Churches, business, trade unions and the voluntary sector have worked together, they have helped to build and to further a sense of community. I do not know how the members of the civic forum will be elected. We have consulted widely, have talked to people and have had submissions from some parties. Ultimately, the decision will be up to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the assembly, but we will do all we can to put forward constructive and positive options and to facilitate decision making.

Mr. Roger Stott (Wigan)

My right hon. Friend is replying to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) about the civic forum. I am a member of the British-Irish interparliamentary body, a forum set up a number of years ago. How does my right hon. Friend see our future role, as British parliamentarians and Members of the Dail Eireann try to foster good relationships between the House of Commons and the Dail and to move the peace process forward?

Marjorie Mowlam

I would not be so presumptuous as to tell members of the British-Irish interparliamentary body what their role should be. I am sure that it will continue to be a positive one, which will be enhanced by working alongside the British-Irish council to further relationships among these islands.