HC Deb 02 March 1998 vol 307 c437W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons a civil servant was asked to attend meetings of the Board of the Labour Relations Agency. [31311]

Mr. Ingram

The Labour Relations Agency requested the attendance of an official from the Department of Economic Development at their Board meetings, in an observer capacity only, to provide clarification on the Department's position if and when the Board required such advice.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to provide for greater openness and accountability by the Labour Relations Agency. [31308]

Mr. Ingram

Government are committed to improving openness and accountability in all its Non-Departmental Public Bodies. The Labour Relations Agency has indicated its acceptance of Government's approach and is working with the Department of Economic Development on a variety of measures to make it both more relevant and more accessible to the public it serves.