Mr. John David Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to empower Ards borough council to repair pot-holes on public roads and footways within the Ards district area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenNo. The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 already empowers district councils to carry out functions on an agency basis. If there were general support for developments along these lines I would be prepared to give consideration to them.