asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the work of the Northern Ireland Economic Council.

The Northern Ireland Economic Council is a non-statutory body whose main purpose is to advise Government on economic matters relating to Northern Ireland. In performing this function it can carry out or commission, either at the Government's request or on its own initiative, research into economic or industrial matters, and where appropriate publish the results.Since its reorganisation under an independent chairman in 1977, the Northern Ireland Economic Council has investigated various key sectors of the local economy and has offered the Government advice on topics such as agriculture and energy.