§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to take any steps to enable the Northern Ireland Economic Council to enter into contracts and appoint staff.
§ Mr. MasonYes. The council itself has no statutory existence. I have therefore taken steps which will soon lead to the incorporation of a Northern Ireland economic development office. This office will ensure that there will be available a body with a legal existence on which the council will be able to rely for such services as entering into contracts and appointing staff and through which the Government could fund the council. I am arranging for copies of the incorporation documents to be available shortly in the Library of the House.