§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will list all current cross-border schemes; together with intended EEC participation; what consultation he has had or proposes to have with those affected; and to what extent they will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
§ Mr. MasonAs I explained to the hon. Member in my letter of 16th November 1977 following my reply to his Question of 26th October 1977, there is close co-operation over a wide range of subjects between NI Departments and official agencies and their counterparts in the Irish Republic. For example, the two statutory electricity boards maintain close contacts, although the interconnector between the two systems is temporarily inoperative, and there are close links on transport arrangements such as the Belfast-Dublin rail link and the licensing of both public transport and road haulage.
The only formal joint schemes are the Foyle Fisheries Commission, which commenced in 1952, and the arrangement for controlling water levels in Lough Erne, which commenced in 1941 and was formalised in 1950. Neither scheme receives EEC assistance. However, the EEC did contribute to the cost of the jointly sponsored study by consultants of cross-border communications in the Londonderry/Donegal area. The Report which has recently been published, contains proposals for some cross-border schemes, and these are now being considered. Local councils and other bodies representing local interests have been given the opportunity to present their views to the consultants during the course of the study and also to Ministers. Any cross-border schemes, whether or not they arise out of this study, will be subject to normal parliamentary financial control.—[Official Report, Vol. 936, c. 678.]