SDLP accused over Grand Committee

The nationalist SDLP were today accused of blocking moves for a special House of Commons committee to have sittings in Northern Ireland.

During Business Questions in the House of Commons, Democratic Unionist deputy leader Peter Robinson urged the Leader of the House Geoff Hoon to use his influence to end what he claimed was a boycott of the province by the 43-strong Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

The East Belfast MP said afterwards: “The Grand Committee has never met in Northern Ireland because it is being blocked by the SDLP.

“SDLP members are being inconsistent in that they attend select committee meetings in Northern Ireland yet sought to veto the Grand Committee from meeting in the province.”

All 18 MPs from Northern Ireland are entitled to seats on the Grand Committee.

There are 25 other seats occupied by MPs drawn from the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat benches.

Among the issues affecting Northern Ireland the Grand Committee has considered over the past two years are racial violence, the social economy, community relations policy and draft orders on higher education, rates reforms and special needs and disability.

But while the Grand Committees for Scotland and Wales have met in Edinburgh and Cardiff, Belfast has never hosted the Northern Ireland committee.

Mr Hoon acknowledged the DUP deputy leader’s comments, telling him: “Those responsible in the House will have noted what the Honourable Member said.”