Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are employed by the Northern Ireland Assembly at Parliament Buildings, Stormont; what is the annual expenditure of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement about the Northern Ireland Assembly.
§ Mr. CopeEleven, including one part-time. The Northern Ireland Assembly cost £318,000 last year and £341,000 has been allocated for 1989–90. This figure includes £97,000 granted for deficiency contributions to pension funds of the Assembly and former House of Commons. The salary of the Clerk is (under section 24(6) of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973) charged to the Consolidated Fund.
It continues to be the Government's policy to encourage progress towards devolution. Pending the resumption of such a role by elected representatives, staff of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which was dissolved on 23 June 1986, continue to perform residual functions.