§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue a White Paper on public administration in Ulster, so that an assessment may be made of the advantages of regional government.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, this is very much within the terms of reference of the Commission on the Constitution. It would therefore be inappropriate to issue a White Paper on public administration in Ulster at this time.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. But does he not agree that we may soon be facing proposals for regional government or administration in Scotland, in Wales and probably in some parts of England, and instead of considering theoretical arguments that might be advanced in the Report of the Commission, would it not be better for us to have before us a factual account of how regional government actually operates?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, it is not for me to anticipate the work of the Commission, but I should have thought that that is precisely one of the things that will come from its work. I would 1063 remind my noble friend that the first paragraph of the terms of reference which have been approved by Her Majesty the Queen says:
To examine the present functions of the central Legislature and Government in relation to the several countries, nations and regions of the United Kingdom.It would surely be folly now to set up another inquiry to attempt to anticipate the work that will be done by this very high-powered Commission.