§ 8. Mr. Pounderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations took place with the political parties in Northern Ireland before accepting the offer from the Department of Political Science at Queen's University, Belfast, to conduct a research project into the border poll.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeNone, Sir. My right hon. Friend considered that such research would assist him in his report to the House about the border poll, and he therefore had no hesitation in accepting the offer. The secrecy of the ballot will not be prejudiced.