Northern Ireland Assembly
Monday 26 November 2001 (continued)
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Review of Public Administration 9. Mr McGrady asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to outline (a) how the Executive plan to progress the review of public administration and (b) what consultation is proposed with the Assembly parties. The Deputy First Minister: The Executive reaffirmed, in the draft Programme for Government, their commitment to improving the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of public administration and the delivery of services in Northern Ireland. They have set a target of spring 2002 for the launch of a comprehensive and strategic review of public administration. Much work and discussion has taken place already, and it is hoped that conclusions on outstanding issues will be reached in the coming weeks. It is essential that there be a significant level of consultation, and that the Executive appreciate that the Assembly and Committees will wish to play a role in the consultation. How best that can be achieved, however, needs to be considered further. Mr McGrady: I thank the Deputy First Minister for his reply on this important development, which must take place if we are to administer ourselves democratically. Will the Deputy First Minister elaborate on his answer by telling the House what independent advice or consultation will take place in respect of the review? The Deputy First Minister also referred to consultation with the Assembly and Committees: will there be a wider consultation on that, and what methodology will be applied in carrying out such consultation? The Deputy First Minister: I welcome the Member's acknowledgement that the Executive are undertaking work in this area. It will be a major exercise as it represents a unique opportunity to review the systems and structures of public administration here. It is important that the Executive get it right. They have agreed that it is essential that the review has a strong independent element that will draw on relevant expertise and experiences learnt in other regions and countries. However, the Executive also recognise that they cannot shirk their responsibility and that it will also be important for the Assembly to be fully engaged in the process. Therefore there is a balance to be struck in how the review is taken forward. Given the potentially far-reaching implications of the review, it is also essential that as many people as possible engage in the process and make their views known. It is important that those who use and provide public services will have an opportunity to voice their opinions and make suggestions. Therefore the Executive recognise the need for significant consultation, and we are currently considering how best that can be achieved. The Chairperson of the Committee of the Centre (Mr Poots): Without prejudice to the outstanding court case, will the Deputy First Minister tell the House how much the review of public administration will cost; why no money was set aside in the draft Budget for the review if it is to start early next year; and why there has not been terms of reference established for the review? Those are crucial issues. When the 11 Departments were created by the pro-agreement parties the promise was made that the review would take place, and Northern Ireland is now costing £80 million a year more to administer in April 2001 than it did in April 1998. The Deputy First Minister: The Member has raised a number of points. First, as I have previously told the Member in my capacity as Minister of Finance and Personnel, the Executive have decided that the resources for the review of public administration will be met by in-year monitoring. Therefore we have already factored in that that is one of the issues that the Executive will be seeking to address through in-year monitoring. With regard to the structural issues and how the review is to be conducted, the final proposals will determine what the exact resource implications will be. Some of them are still under consideration in the Executive and will then be the subject of further consultation in the Assembly. An exercise like this must be well thought through. Reflex initiatives will not work. We must think through all the implications, and the Executive have been discussing these. Those of us who attend the Executive have taken part in discussions; and those who do not have not taken part in discussions. The non-attenders have done nothing to move it forward. We shall meet the commitment of having this launched in spring of next year, and we shall then test the quality of people's contribution to and participation in the review when it is under way. Programme for Government 10. Mr Byrne asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to outline how the Executive will ensure the effective implementation of the Programme for Government given the refusal of two Ministers to participate fully in the Executive's decision-making process. The First Minister: The Pledge of Office requires Ministers to participate with Colleagues in preparing a Programme for Government and to operate within the framework of that programme when it has been agreed in the Executive Committee and endorsed by the Assembly. All Departments have contributed to the preparation of the programme, and the Executive wish to ensure its effective implementation. Although they did not attend meetings of the Executive in person, DUP Ministers have complied with the requirements of the ministerial code in seeking the agreement of the Executive for their proposals for the Programme for Government, budgets, legislation and major policy areas that affect other departmental programmes. They comment in writing on papers before the Executive and have permitted their senior officials to make presentations on policy matters that concern the Executive. Despite the non-attendance of these Ministers at Executive meetings, the Executive have ensured that important strategic and policy decisions are taken to enable the two Departments to function effectively so that the people of Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged by their actions. Mr Byrne: Does the First Minister accept that there is severe pressure on limited public finances for infrastructure and capital investment? Does the First Minister agree that the personal participation of the Minister for Regional Development in a collective Executive would be more effective than the present, bizarre arrangements? The First Minister: I cannot disagree with the Member's last observation on some of the curious aspects of how we proceed; nonetheless, we proceed. I cite the formulation and implementation of the Programme for Government and the original Programme for Government and its implementation as examples. I also cite our formulating a revised Programme for Government at the moment. At this morning's Executive meeting we approved the amendments to the draft, which will be brought before the Assembly in a week or so. We can do all these things without any difficulty, and we were assisted in so doing by the active participation of the Department for Regional Development and the Department for Social Development; that active participation is demonstrated through the work of their officials. We have been able, despite the strange appearances from time to time, to function. I do not believe that infrastructure has suffered. I cite major infrastructure undertakings such as the gas pipeline and the road from Newry to Larne as examples of collective decisions in which the Ministers were to some extent peripheral. We may suffer by not having the benefit of the views, wisdom and experience, if appropriate, of those Ministers in a collective discussion in other matters. However, their non-attendance at Executive meetings demonstrates their full confidence and trust in those who are making decisions on their behalf. Mr Paisley Jnr: While recognising that the First Minister has full confidence in the Sinn Féin Ministers to do their job, perhaps he will tell the House, and indeed the people of Northern Ireland, why he spends his time attacking the Members of my party who play a role in this Government. Why does he refuse to attack the Minister in his Executive who has been accused of handing out pipe bombs and who is a self-confessed commander of the Provisional IRA? Why does he not spend some time attacking that Minister? 3.00 pm The First Minister: I am at a loss to understand how the Member can produce that supplementary question in view of my reply. I invite him to read Hansard tomorrow and see whether he can find an attack in my comments: I suggest that he will not. I noticed that he started his supplementary question with the word "recognising", and the Deputy First Minister and I welcome his recognition. I ask him, in a comradely spirit, to consider the speeches made at his party conference last Saturday and to ask himself which party was being attacked. What did he and his colleague spend their time doing? Did they spend their time attacking Sinn Féin, or did they spend their time attacking my Colleagues and me? Culture, Arts and LeisureMr Speaker: Mr B Hutchinson is not in his place. Execution of Robert Emmet (Bicentenary) 2. Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has any plans to mark the bicentenary, in 2003, of the execution of Robert Emmet. The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): My Department has no plans to mark the bicentenary of the execution of Robert Emmet. The aftermath of the 1798 rebellion, including Emmet's attempts to revive the rising, has already been dealt with in the context of the 'Up in Arms' exhibition, staged by the Ulster Museum in 1998. Mr McElduff: OK. Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Given that the Minister is Minister for all the people - [Interruption]. Mr Speaker: Was that Irish, Mr McElduff? Mr McElduff: I said, "OK". Mr Speaker: It certainly was not parliamentary. Mr McElduff: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Given that the Minister is Minister for all the citizens of the Six Counties, I ask him not to be partisan in the use of public money for the commemoration of historical events. I am thinking of the commemoration of the Act of Union and the preparations for the golden jubilee of the British Queen, for which £200,000 has been set aside. Irish Nationalists and Irish Republicans live on the island too, and the Minister should take their concerns on board. Mr McGimpsey: It is important that the celebration of one culture does not diminish another. We have celebrated the 'Up in Arms' exhibition, which covered the 1798 rebellion, and we have also marked the Act of Union, which, whether one approves of it or not, was a defining moment in modern Irish history, the consequences of which are still with us. Next year is the Queen's golden jubilee, and my Department is responsible for co-ordinating Northern Ireland's jubilee programme as part of a Commonwealth- wide event. It will be a regional, national and international event. Next year, because of a desire expressed by Members, we will mark the annual Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2002. Many celebrations and remembrances are recognised. It is unfortunate that Mr McElduff sees such events in such a narrow way. Marking, or celebrating, one culture does not diminish another. The golden jubilee celebration is a legitimate expression of the wishes of the people in Northern Ireland. Mr B Bell: Has the Minister any plans to mark the 360th anniversary of the Irish rebellion of 1641, in which thousands of Protestant settlers lost their lives, most notably those from my town - [Interruption]. Mr Speaker: Order. The Member's supplementary question is not in order as it refers to a different event. If I were to permit it, there would be no reason for not raising a series of other events. Mr B Bell: I was coming to the point, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker: I trust that the Member was coming to the point. If he has a supplementary question about that event, I will allow it. Mr B Bell: That was a preamble to my point. Does the Minister agree that all such commemorations are divisive and out of tune with our peace agenda? Mr McGimpsey: With the greatest respect, I do not agree. If we were to agree with that, several events would be made redundant, and a body of Orangemen would possibly feel redundant if they were unable to celebrate their events. However, we cannot celebrate everything; we must prioritise. It is also important that events are not dealt with divisively. It is unfortunate, returning to the main question, that Mr McElduff chooses to see the event in divisive terms, rather than as part of a shared cultural heritage. It is something that we all share. We can all celebrate or, at least, mark it. Mr Paisley Jnr: Does the Minister accept that if he were to mark the bicentenary of the execution of Robert Emmet, he and the Department might be expected to mark occasions relating to other more suitable people and their careers? Is he thinking of establishing any criteria so that a proper and objective view can be taken of important events, such as the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Carson, the 130th anniversary of the birth of Lord Craigavon and the 170th anniversary of Dr Henry Cooke? Those events - Mr Speaker: I advise the Member to stick to the first part of his question, which was, of course, entirely legitimate. Mr Paisley Jnr: Is the Minister thinking of establishing criteria whereby his Department can consider suggestions to mark more legitimate and less politically-orientated events? Mr McGimpsey: The celebration next year of the Queen's golden jubilee is not overtly political, nor should it be divisive. As I said, the Act of Union was a defining moment in modern Irish history, and we are still living with the consequences of it. Such an event merits being marked. We must be careful about marking the birthdays of individuals, because we must then assess whom we consider to be of particular importance. The Member, for example, mentioned Carson and others. Many of those things spring readily to mind, and their importance is self-evident. I do not see this as being an annual event or something that requires the creation of criteria. Certain things are self-evident, and the Act of Union is one of them. The golden jubilee is being celebrated throughout the kingdom, and, as the Member is aware, Northern Ireland is part of the kingdom. The occasion is being celebrated throughout the Commonwealth, so it is regional, national and international. Mr McGrady: Does the Minister agree that some events can have great local cultural significance? 2003 is the bicentenary of the death of United Irishman Thomas Russell - "the man from God knows where" - who was executed in Downpatrick Gaol, which is now the Down County Museum. Is the Minister aware that the Hearts of Down - a group of museum curators and historians - is organising a series of events to commemorate that, and will he consider funding that group? Mr Speaker: Order. Virtually every Member who has spoken - including the Minister - has tended to refer to other events entirely. We must bring this round to a close because, in truth, there is probably no end to the issue of the commemoration of events. Darts 3. Mr Close asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to AQO 399/00, to provide an update on plans by the Northern Ireland Sports Council to recognise darts as a sport. Mr McGimpsey: In previous answers on this matter, I said that the recognition of darts would be considered at the next meeting of the Sports Council's officers recognition panel. That was scheduled to take place in June, but, unfortunately, it was postponed. Another meeting is planned to take place in December 2001. I understand that the recognition of darts will be on the agenda. Darts has not, so far, been recognised UK-wide as a sport on the grounds that insufficient physical activity is involved. Mr Close: Does the Minister agree that the issue is - to use a sporting analogy - constantly kicked into touch? I first asked the question about the recognition of darts as a sport in December 2000. I was advised that the matter would be considered in spring 2001. That did not happen. I posed the question again in May 2001, only to be told that it would be considered in June 2001. It is now almost the end of November 2001, and I am told to expect a reply sometime next month. The previous question referred to anniversaries, centenaries and bicentenaries. I trust that I shall not be posing my question next year on its second anniversary. Many people feel discriminated against because they do not have access to suitable funding for a worthwhile sport. Mr McGimpsey: Mr Close is right to say that I gave him timetables. Responsibility for activities that are considered sports in Northern Ireland lies with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. Recognition of sports lies with home countries' sports councils, which have a recognition panel that meets once a year. It was anticipated that the panel would meet earlier in the year, but it has not met to date. I am told that it will meet in December, as I said. It is not in my power to determine when the recognition panel meets, but I anticipate that, because the rules dictate that the panel must meet once a year, it will do so before the end of the year. If darts is recognised as a sport - this is the reason behind the question and the lobbying - it can apply for National Lottery sports funding. However, simply being recognised as a sport does not guarantee funding. It simply allows access to that fund. I refer the House to the definition of sports used by the Sports Council and throughout the home countries: "all forms of physical activity, whether through casual or organised participation, aimed at expressing or improving physical fitness, mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels." Darts has not, so far, been recognised as a sport on the grounds that insufficient physical effort is involved. It may be that the recognition panel has decided to change its opinion, but, as things stand, the likelihood of success should not be rated too highly. Steering Group (Irish/Ulster-Scots) 4. Dr Adamson asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to indicate which members of the steering group set up by Foras na Gaeilge, Tha Boord o Ulster- Scotch, the Ultach Trust and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to research the arts of Irish and Ulster-Scots have expertise in Irish and which in Ulster-Scots. Mr McGimpsey: The arts steering group to which the Member refers was set up by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to oversee an audit and needs analysis to provide a comprehensive review of the Irish and Ulster-Scots language arts sector. In setting up the steering group, the Arts Council invited nominations from Foras na Gaeilge, the Ultach Trust, Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The nominees with expertise in Irish are Aodán McPóilin of the Ultach Trust and Deirdre Devitt of Foras na Gaeilge. No member of the steering group has Ulster-Scots expertise. Dr Adamson: Before I ask my supplementary question, I declare an interest as the founding chairman of the Ulster-Scots Language Society. The Ultach Trust is used to represent the interests of Ulster-Gaelic in such steering groups. Will the Minister consider using the Ulster-Scots Language Society to represent Ulster-Scots? Mr McGimpsey: The steering group was an advisory panel set up by the Arts Council, not by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The single criterion was the status of the funding partner. One funding partner that the Arts Council went to was Tha Boord o Ulster- Scotch, which selected and nominated a representative. However, I understand that the representative does not have expertise in Ulster-Scots. 3.15 pm I see no reason why the Ulster-Scots Language Society should not represent Ulster-Scots. Where, for example, decisions on the defining criteria for membership lie with my Department, I can assure the Member that each case will be examined individually. However, it is, to some extent, out of my hands in cases in which my Department does not set the objective criteria or is not responsible. Armagh Planetarium 5. Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he has made representations to his ministerial colleagues concerning the future of the Planetarium at Armagh. Mr McGimpsey: The Member will be aware that my Department commissioned a review of the planetarium's activities following its closure in November 2000 for health and safety reasons. The completed review was passed to me three weeks ago. I ensured that it was made available to the planetarium's management committee, its staff union representative and members of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. My officials will discuss its recommendations with representatives of the management committee. We will also hear representations from the union in the next few weeks. I will raise the issue with my ministerial Colleagues when I have fully considered the review's recommendations. Mr Kennedy: I welcome the Minister's answer. Will he consider making plans to upgrade and extend the Armagh Planetarium and its educational facilities as a major cultural site of international repute and standing that can be used by the entire community? Mr McGimpsey: The Member is aware that for health and safety reasons the planetarium is only open on a limited basis and that the star theatre remains closed. However, limited opening has proved to be a great success, as has the outreach service to schools and other groups. The four options suggested by the review were to maintain the status quo on the basis of limited opening; demolition and rebuilding; an expanded outreach service; and closure. It will surprise no one that my preference at this stage would be for the construction of a new planetarium. However, funding issues must be taken into account before a final decision is reached. I am mindful that the planetarium has an important educational role and that it is not just a matter of pounds and pence. Its historical site beside the observatory is another important asset in the cultural estate. I assure the Member that those issues will be considered carefully and will be discussed with the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee before a decision is reached. Mr Hilditch: The Minister touched on the matter of consultation with staff at the Armagh Planetarium during the preparation of the review. Can he reveal the level and detail of that consultation? Mr McGimpsey: As I said to Mr Kennedy, I ensured that the review was made available to the staff union representative. The matter is under consideration, and I anticipate responses from several bodies, including the union. I cannot determine the way forward until those responses are received and the issues and concerns are considered. 'Face to Face' 6. Mr McCarthy asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to implement the findings of the document 'Face to Face' with regard to increasing accessibility to the arts and cultural activities. Mr McGimpsey: The launch of the 'Face to Face' document in June 2001 represented a significant milestone in the provision of a framework for the arts and culture sector. Universal accessibility was a core priority, and I have asked that a steering group be set up to advise the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on the implementation of the document's recommendations. The group will reflect the broad range of interests in the arts and culture community, and its first meeting will take place at the end of November. It will consider the implementation of 'Face to Face' in full, including moves to increase accessibility. Mr McCarthy: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's audit of disabled access must be welcomed. Can the Minister assure Members that funding will be made available to arts facilities and galleries to ensure greater access for disadvantaged and disabled groups through changes in physical access and the use of sign language, Braille and new technology for the transmission of information? Mr McGimpsey: It is important to recognise that in order to provide greater accessibility, we must do more than simply tackle the physical barriers; there are social and community barriers as well. We must consider the broad sweep of accessibility. In November 2000, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure initiated the ADAPT Northern Ireland (Access for Disabled People to Arts Premises Today) pilot programme to carry out an audit of 40 venues. The audit was completed, and £100,000 has been allocated to allow the pilot programme to continue. In addition, I announced funding of £100,000 for the Arts Council, specifically for widening access. That money allowed for wider access for new generation audiences, early-years provision and the development of partnership with district councils. Therefore, the Department is moving forward on more than one initiative in order to achieve progress in its policy of widening access. Mr Molloy: Does the Minister agree that the best way to improve access to the arts is to spread funding across the different venues in the North and move away from multi-million, one-off payments to venues such as the Grand Opera House? Mr McGimpsey: I am sorry, Mr Speaker, I heard "Grand Opera House", but I did not hear the amount that the Member referred to. I stress that there is a spread of funding in the Province. Not all funding is earmarked for big projects; various projects are funded. The Arts Council - through directly voted funds and lottery funds - makes an important contribution, not only to the big venues such as the Grand Opera House and the new Millennium Theatre in Derry but also to smaller venues up and down the country that stage events and festivals. Lagan Navigation 7. Mr Poots asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to provide an update on the report commissioned on the potential reopening of the Lagan navigation. Mr McGimpsey: The feasibility study update and economic appraisal that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure commissioned in May 2001 on the possible reopening of the 12-mile lower Lagan navigation between Belfast and Sprucefield should be completed by the end of the month. The report will provide the Department with the basis for further discussion with the key partners, such as Lisburn Borough Council, Castlereagh Borough Council, Belfast City Council, the Laganside Corporation and the Environment and Heritage Service, to explore the scope for reopening the abandoned waterway. Mr Poots: I welcome the news that the report will come out at the end of the month. Can the Minister assure the House that he will seek funding to assist the local authorities in the reopening of the Lagan navigation? Will he support a measure to give the local authorities vesting powers in situations where it is difficult to release land? Mr McGimpsey: It is important to stress that we are considering the Lagan navigation in two parts. I was referring to the lower Lagan navigation, not least because most of the land involved is owned by my Department and other public bodies. Much of the upper Lagan navigation - the Lough Neagh end - has been sold off since its abandonment in the 1950s. Therefore, it is easier and more cost-effective to begin with the section of the canal that is still in public ownership. It would be difficult to argue the case for public funding for the entire investment. We must consider various ways of obtaining the funding and different approaches to the project. For example, there are 13 locks on the lower Lagan navigation canal alone. As a member of Lisburn Borough Council, Mr Poots will know how much it costs to refurbish one lock, let alone the whole canal. That will involve considerable investment. I will not give a figure for it because the figure that I was given originally has long since been superseded. Arts Projects (Derry City Council Area) 8. Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the amount of funding awarded to arts projects in the Derry City Council area in the past three years. Mr McGimpsey: In the past three financial years, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has awarded just under £4 million to arts projects in the Derry City Council area. That figure is made up of funding from the Arts Council's grant-in-aid from Government sources and the lottery. The figure does not include all of the funding that is available for arts projects, and further funding may come from the council's special programmes and initiatives. Mrs Courtney: I welcome the Minister's response. How much funding will be available for the Millennium project? The Minister will be aware that the project has been running for several years. Mr McGimpsey: In the past three years, 101 awards have been made in that area - a total of just under £4 million. The single largest award was £2·5 million of lottery funding to the Derry Theatre Trust, for the Millennium forum. The trust is anticipating a building budget deficit of between £100,000 and £300,000. However, I understand that it is hopeful that the Millennium Commission and a private investor will cover the deficit. There is also the possibility of an operating budget deficit in this financial year. The Derry Theatre Trust is working on a strategy to resolve that matter and may submit applications to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City Council. Mrs Nelis: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Is the Minister satisfied that a sufficient proportion of the Budget is directed towards promoting community arts in the city? Mr McGimpsey: I am not aware of the exact direction that the theatre trust is taking. I cannot answer in detail for the Millennium forum. The theatre has its own management structure, which is responsible for the direction that it takes. I am sure that the criteria for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and lottery funding were satisfied. I would be surprised if they were not meeting the criteria. If the Member has concerns about that, it would be useful if she could write to me. I will ensure that she gets an answer, and I will check that everything is done correctly. Mr Hussey: Does the Minister agree that one of the biggest inputs to culture and arts in the Derry City Council area is provided by the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association's celebrations? Will the Minister take the opportunity to wish the association well in its celebrations this Saturday? Mr McGimpsey: The Department and I have had a direct interest in the Maiden City Festival, which is sponsored by the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Support has been secured for the festival. It has been described by a number of people there as one of the best things ever to happen to the Maiden City. Indeed, the Maiden City Festival is going from strength to strength, which shows that there is much more than simply marching or bonfires to the Apprentice Boys. Also, next Saturday's event has been moved forward to facilitate Christmas shopping in the city, and that shows the responsibility of the leadership of the Apprentice Boys and its ability to celebrate our culture and heritage, which is important to us all. 3.30 pm Cultural Tourism 9. Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to enable a more intensive promotion and expansion of cultural tourism; and to make a statement. Mr McGimpsey: My Department and its sponsor bodies can contribute to delivering the Tourist Board's commitment to developing cultural tourism, and this is reflected in the Department's corporate strategy. With cross-departmental working, we will strive to ensure that the full potential of our cultural life is realised by attracting visitors and enhancing their experience of Northern Ireland. Our creativity and cultural expression are unique selling points for us, and we are committed to helping to build a positive image for Northern Ireland through the work of the Northern Ireland Events Company, by developing and enhancing our cultural facilities and by supporting partnerships between the Arts Council, the Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland and the Tourist Board. Belfast's possible designation in 2008 as European Capital of Culture provides an unprecedented development opportunity for cultural tourism. My Department will be bidding for Executive programme funds to help improve the city's cultural infrastructure. If successful, this will contribute to making Belfast a more attractive and marketable tourist destination. The report of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure - Mr Speaker: I am afraid the Minister is over time. I shall have to ask him to give the complete answer in writing to Mr Dallat, who, unfortunately, will not be able to ask a supplementary on this occasion. |