§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has reconsidered the rules governing the appointment of town clerks as deputy returning officers in district council elections as promised in a letter dated 4 January 1982 to Mr. Austin Currie; and whether he is satisfied that deputy returning officers will now be prevented from participating in fund-raising functions for political parties in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. PriorI am keeping these matters under review, but I have no immediate plans to change the law governing the appointment of deputy returning officers for elections to district councils.
Deputy returning officers are responsible to the Chief Electoral Officer. Total impartiality is required from them in the performance of their duties.