HC Deb 05 November 1987 vol 121 c849W
Rev. Martin Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to provide for elected councillors in England and Wales to sign a declaration abjuring violence along the lines of that proposed for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The Widdicombe committee on the conduct of local authority business recommended that all local authority councillors in Great Britain should have to make a declaration before exercising their office; that this should have a status similar to the oath sworn, or affirmation made, by juries; and that consideration should be given whether this declaration should be specific as to what the public duty of being a councillor entails. We are considering this recommendation.