§ 19. Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the administrative difficulties arising from restoring direct rule and from a reduced ministerial team. [117434]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe re-introduction of direct rule, while necessary to safeguard the institutions from collapse, is no substitute for local political representatives, accountable to the people of Northern Ireland, taking decisions about local issues. On Ministerial complement I am content for the time being with this, but should direct rule continue indefinitely, then I would expect the Prime Minister to decide to increase it.