Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with local councils in Northern Ireland about the transfer of some of the functions of the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland to local authorities.

The delivery of elections in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland and there is no suggestion that that will change. If the Chief Electoral Officer wishes to pursue the possibility of local authorities assisting in the delivery of some aspects of elections, under her direction, that will in the first instance be a matter for her.