§ Mr. Watsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he proposes to create arrangements for the government of Northern Ireland that will better meet the needs of all its people.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsWhile direct rule continues, my immediate priority is to ensure that the Government's security, economic development and social policies are implemented effectively and sensitively. To this end I propose, with the agreement of the Prime Minister, to make the machinery of government of Northern Ireland more efficient and accountable to my direction and control. This is consistent with the allocation of departmental responsibilities to my two Ministers of State which was announced on 7 January and will be done without change to the existing constitutional arrangements.
To achieve more effective deployment of public sector financial and manpower resources I propose to merge the control functions of the Northern Ireland Departments of Finance and of the Civil Service. Detailed implications of how this merger is to be effected are being examined.
Studies of the departmental organisation required to deal more vigorously and effectively with economic development and social affairs are also in hand.
Consultations with the staff sides and bodies concerned will now begin. I shall publish my final proposals when I have considered the results of these consultations.