asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further consideration he has given to strengthening democracy in Northern Ireland by increasing the Province's representation at Westminster in order approximately to equalise the number oil electors required to return a Member to Parliament.

Northern Ireland is numerically under-represented in this House, but I firmly believe that the most effective way of strengthening democracy in Northern Ireland is for agreement to be reached on a form of devolved government which commands widespread acceptance in both parts of the Community.