Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to seek to allow local authorities in Northern Ireland additional powers and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Patrick Mayhew[holding answer 11 January 1993]: I have no such plans. However, the Government believe that there is considerable scope to transfer greater power, authority and responsibility to locally elected representatives in Northern Ireland and would be willing to give serious consideration to any proposals regarding future arrangements for regional or local government in Northern Ireland which seemed likely to prove widely acceptable. These issues are best considered in the comprehensive context of further political talks.