§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations his Department has received from district councils, historical societies and the general, particularly the rural, public, about the administrative extinction of historic townland names and the use of often inappropriate street names in the countryside of the Province; and whether he will seek to restore townland addresses.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe naming and numbering of rural roads and dwellings was introduced in 1968 by local authorities in conjunction with the Post Office to facilitate postal and other public services. Townland names are used where appropriate and have, for example, been restored to valuation lists in response to requests. One representation about the postal address scheme has been received in the past three years, from a district council.