Folkiedave, yeh - I realized that I was mixing concepts there. The point I was making is that Westminster - elected reps and, perhaps more importantly - have a habit of forgetting that some powers have been devolved. This happens to the Scots as well as to the Welsh but not, of course, in this specific case.

So ... what is the case with N Ireland? I suppose they were 'in' this as their powers were probably un-devolved at the time?

sian