Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in the light of the situation in the Northern Ireland Assembly, he will re-examine the possibility of devolution of local government powers, possibly to that body.
Mr. PriorThe Government believe that to be stable and durable, political arrangements in Northern Ireland must enjoy substantial support from both sides of the community. Development of the local government system, as envisaged by my hon. Friend, would not, in the Government's view, receive such support.