THE PARLIAMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR, —It was suggested in a recent issue of The Spectator that the Parliament of Northern Ireland had confined itself too largely to taking over British legislation, and had produced little original legislation of its own. That suggestion is not entirely accurate. As England's best is good enough for Ulster, the Parliament of Northern Ireland willingly adapts or adopts such British legislation as is suitable to Ulster, making a special point of keeping the social services on strictly parallel lines with Great Britain.
In 307 public and general, and 48 local and private Acts passed since the setting up of the Northern Ireland Parliament, there are many original Acts, such as those dealing with criminal law, land drainage, electricity supply, town planning (including alum clearance), acquisition of land, marketing of agricultural products, licensing, education, &c.
In 1926 the Northern Ireland Parliament set up a Govern- ment authority for the licensing and control of public service vehicles, similar steps were taken at Westminster four years later. The N.S.P.C.C., referring to the Children Act passed in 1931, headed their article—" Northern Ireland leads the Way." The Northern Ireland Parliament is only too anxious, whether leading or following, to do all possible to develop the happiness and prosperity of the British Empire in general, and that portion situated in Ulster in particular.—I am, Sir,
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