Southern Health and Social Services Council

HC Deb 05 November 1997 vol 300 c204W

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which members of the Southern health and social services council belong to(a) the SDLP, and (b) the Ulster Unionist party; how many of these appointments were recommended by representatives of the Irish Government; and if she will make a statement. [13012]

Mr. Worthington

Monitoring information on the political activity of appointees to the Health and Social Services Councils has only been collected since July 1996. Of the 10 places, out of a full membership of 24, reserved on the Southern Health and Social Services Council for District Council nominees, five are held by SDLP members and five are held by members of the Ulster Unionist Party. The monitoring information held by the Department indicates that no political activity has been undertaken by the other members in the last five years.

None of the members of the Southern Council were recommended for consideration for appointment by representatives of the Irish Government.