HC Deb 11 December 1972 vol 848 cc58-9W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will arrange for an Ulster Office to be set up in Brussels to assist Ulster business and agriculture in their dealings with the Community and to ensure that specific Northern Ireland aspects in relation to the Community are not overlooked; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The opening of an Ulster office in Brussels is not contemplated.

Northern Ireland businessmen, like their counterparts in Scotland and Wales, are represented in Brussels by the Confederation of British Industry and the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. They can also call upon the wide range of services available to them through the Commercial Department of the British Embassy in Brussels and through the further 30 British commercial posts in the embassies and consulates in the enlarged Community.

It will continue to be the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government to take into account specific Northern Ireland aspects of policy, whether industrial or agricultural, when dealing with the institutions of the European Communities.