§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when an appointment of high sheriff for the city of Belfast is to be made; and why it has not accompanied those for the six counties and the city of Londonderry.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe nomination for the post of high sheriff for the city of Belfast by the outgoing high sheriff is normally made only after consultation with the Belfast city council. However, the council declined to co-operate and no nomination for 1987 or 1988 was received.
As the duties of the office of high sheriff are purely ceremonial, it was decided that in the meantime the post should be left unfilled until a nomination is received.