§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal how many civil servants in his Department are concerned with the affairs of Northern Ireland and how many with relations with the Republic of Ireland.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe Republic of Ireland Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which has a staff of seven, is concerned with political and economic relations with the Republic of Ireland, and with Northern Ireland questions in as much as they affect the United Kingdom's relations with the Republic and with other foreign countries. Otherwise, Northern Ireland's interests are handled along with those of the rest of the United Kingdom.