§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will request the Local Government Boundary Commissioner to consider the grouping of wards into district electoral areas while he is preparing his recommendations arising from his review of local government boundaries in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyIt would require a change to the statutory remit of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner to enable him to group wards into district electoral areas. My right hon. Friend intends to review the procedure for determining boundaries at the earliest opportunity but it would not be practicable to undertake such a review at present without unduly delaying the work of the commissioner.