To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the qualifications of the two members of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland whom he has appointed; and what criteria he applied for these appointments.

Both members appointed to the Parliamentary Boundary Commission meet the criteria that they should have relevant intellectual qualities, appropriate experience and/or professional qualifications, a commitment to public service and the ability to make independent and non-partisan judgments. Following normal practice, the views of the main political parties in Northern Ireland were sought before the appointments were made.