§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what discussions he held with and what notice he gave to(a) Commonwealth members and (b) the Republic of Ireland of his intention to introduce amendments to the European Communities (Employment in the Civil Service) Order 1986; and if the ban on employment will apply to the children of Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland citizens who are currently in posts but without British nationality; [20401]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of (a) Commonwealth citizens and (b) Republic of Ireland citizens currently employed in the civil service. [20402]
§ Sir John WheelerThe amendments announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 1 March,Official Report, column 771, and which take effect from 1 June 1996, concern civil service nationality rules, which, for the Northern Ireland civil service, are made under the Civil Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986. The amendments are not to the European Communities (Employment in the Civil Service) Order 1991.
On the question of discussions with or notice given to Commonwealth members or the Republic of Ireland, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The eligibility for employment in the Northern Ireland civil service of the children of Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland citizens currently in service will depend, as now, on the nature of the civil service post concerned and the nationality of the individual at the time of application.
No estimate was made of the number of Commonwealth citizens or of Republic of Ireland citizens currently serving in the Northern Ireland civil service. This information is not recorded.