Northern Ireland Act 1982

HC Deb 25 November 1982 vol 32 c549W

23. Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has proposals for amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1982.

Mr. Prior

No.

27. Mr McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he proposes to define widespread acceptance throughout the community for the purpose of exercising his discretion under the Northern Ireland Act 1982.

Mr. Prior

Paragraph 42 of the White Paper "Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution" (Cmnd. 8541) states that the Government would only consider that the Assembly's proposals for devolution commanded widespread support throughout the community if it appeared to them that those proposals were acceptable to both sides of the community. Following submission by the Assembly of devolution proposals, it would be for Parliament to decide whether this criterion was met.