§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) under what conditions commissioners will be appointed to provide essential local government services in certain district councils in Northern Ireland;
(2) what special security provisions commissioners appointed to provide essential local government services in certain district councils in Northern Ireland will receive to protect them from possible terrorist acts;
(3) how commissioners to provide essential local government services in certain district councils in Northern Ireland will be chosen.
§ Mr. NeedhamCommissioners will only be appointed as a measure of last resort where there is a threat to the district council statutory services and jobs caused by the action of councillors. In such circumstances persons with relevant skills and experience in public administration would be considered and appropriate security arrangements would be made in the light of police advice. It would not be in the interests of security to disclose details.