Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why it was not possible or was not thought desirable that increases in fines and alterations in foreign limitation periods should take effect in Northern Ireland at the same time as in the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PriorThe quickest way to bring fines in Northern Ireland into line with those in the rest of the United Kingdom is to proceed in the manner set out in my reply to the right hon. Gentleman on 7 March. Alterations to the law in Northern Ireland in respect of foreign limitation periods, being a transferred matter on which there is a separate body of law in Northern Ireland, are best achieved by an Order in Council, which will allow local consultations to take place. As a result, there will be a gap between the enactment of amendments to the law in respect of England and Wales, and those in respect of Northern Ireland.