HC Deb 28 February 1978 vol 945 cc189-90W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals the Government have for holding referenda in Northern Ireland in communities adjacent to the border with the Republic of Ireland to determine whether they might wish to be transferred from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Carter

The Government have no such proposals. The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 provides that Northern Ireland or a part of it could only cease to be part of the United Kingdom with the consent of the majority of the people in Northern Ireland voting in a poll held in accordance with the provisions of that Act. Under the terms of the Act such a poll cannot be held before March 1983.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the total electorate voted "Yes" and "No", respectively, in each of the electoral divisions in the constitutional referendum which was held in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Carter

The votes cast in the border poll, held in Northern Ireland on 8th March 1973, were counted in one place and the result was declared for Northern Ireland as a whole. 57.5 per cent. of the electorate voted in favour of Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom. 0.6 per cent. voted for Northern Ireland to be joined with the Republic of Ireland, outside the United Kingdom.