§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to offer to hon. Members briefings by the Northern Ireland civil service similar to those provided for the Anglo-Irish Secretariat on appropriate topics. [12173]
§ Sir John WheelerBriefings are provided for the Irish side of the Anglo-Irish secretariat, in accordance with the terms of the Anglo-Irish agreement, on appropriate matters. These briefings can be instigated by either side.
My ministerial colleagues and I also offer briefings to hon. Members on occasions but, in addition, always stand ready to consider favourably requests from hon. Members on issues relevant to the Northern Ireland Departments.