Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they decided not to establish a panel to examine issues around parading in North Belfast.

One of the key principles in the Terms of Reference for a panel on parading in North Belfast was that in order for it to be successful, the process needed to be able to engage effectively across the community. It became apparent that there was insufficient support for the panel, including from amongst some of those most directly involved in the dispute. It was therefore decided, on balance, not to go ahead with establishing the panel.