§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total cost to public funds of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe Northern Ireland Assembly cost about £2.8 million last year and £3.5 million has been allocated this year. However, the Northern Ireland Assembly (Dissolution) Order was laid on 17 June and is to be debated shortly. If approved, the total cost of the Assembly to public funds in the current year will be considerably less than this.
§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the position of the Clerk and other staff of the Northern Ireland Assembly after dissolution; and how Parliament building will be used in future.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe Clerk to the Assembly will continue to hold statutory office under section 24(3) of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 after dissolution. The position of other Assembly staff and the future use of Parliament building are under consideration at present, but I hope it will not be long before a new Assembly is playing a responsible and valuable role in Northern Ireland.