Council of the Isles

HC Deb 10 July 1998 vol 315 c641W

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that the Council of the Isles includes representation from all the English regions. [49750]

The Prime Minister

The Good Friday Agreement provides for the establishment of a British-Irish Council which reflects an earlier proposal for a Council of the Isles.

The Agreement specifies that membership of the British-Irish Council will comprise representatives of the British and Irish Governments, devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, when established, and, if appropriate, elsewhere in the United Kingdom, together with representatives of the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

The Government are currently working to establish the Council later in the year, in transitional form, as the Agreement requires, and will be consulting interested parties as and when appropriate.