§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a detailed report of the discussions which took place in the last meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference on the proposed United Kingdom parliamentary constituencies; what undertakings were given to the Irish Republic's delegation in regard to those proposals; and what representations made by the Irish Republic's delegation have been brought to the attention of Madam Speaker, as chair of the Boundary Commission.
§ Mr. AncramIt is not the custom to publish reports of discussions which take place within the intergovernmental conference, but the hon. Gentleman will be aware of the terms of the communiqué issued after that meeting. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland is an independent body responsible to Parliament and not to the Government, a fact which was made clear at the IGC. It follows that Her Majesty's Government has no role in representing anyone else's views on the Boundary Commission to its Chairman.