§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the application within Northern Ireland of the proceeds from the sale of the port of Belfast; and if he will make a statement. [109847]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 11 February 2000]: I have had no discussions with my right hon. Friend on this matter. The sale of the port of Belfast was a matter for the devolved administration and a paper outlining various options was submitted to the Regional Development Committee prior to the recent suspension of the institutions. The money from the sale of the port is intended to part finance a range of projects within the package of special measures for Northern Ireland announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in May 1998.