§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will lay the designation order specifying which additional public bodies are to be obliged to develop equality schemes in order to comply with section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998; and which bodies external to the public service he consulted when determining which organisations to designate under the proposed designation order. [103813]
§ Mr. George Howarth[holding answer 17 January 2000]: In compiling the designation order, the Secretary of State consulted with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. This consultation raised a number of queries that are still receiving attention. When these have been resolved, the Secretary of State will be in a position to lay the designation order before Parliament.