NI assembly to offer democracy and progress: it’s 1983

Barry McGuigan with Barney Eastwood in 1983 after defeating Valerio Nati to become the new European featherweight champion in the King's Hall, Belfast.

Equally, allocations of the block grant will be at the Secretary of State’s discretion and according to local priorities. It’s 1983.

Newly released state papers include a draft of the Queen’s speech for the opening of Parliament on June 22, 1983. It says Whitehall will “give the highest priority to upholding law and order.”

It says the Assembly will offer “a framework for participation in local democracy and political progress” and Whitehall’s “support to help the Province overcome its economic difficulties will be maintained.”

On the block grant a note from the Peter Rees, Chief Secretary of the Treasury, on July 18, 1983, says: “Allocations within the block will continue to be at the Secretary of State’s discretion according to local priorities. There are no additional bids this year.”