As Women's Development Officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, I have been asked by Sir Reg to respond on behalf of the Party.

  Indeed, I am aware of the Speaker's Conference and would be happy to help you with your queries.

  1.  The Ulster Unionist Party has Standing Orders in place for the Selection of all candidates. To give you a brief outline of our procedures:

Any fully paid-up member of the Ulster Unionist Party who wishes to be selected as a candidate for public office must be in 'good standing' within the Party and also included on the Central Candidates' List. There is a Standing Candidates' Selection Committee which will agree on and co-ordinate the criteria by which fitness for inclusion on the Central Candidates' List will be determined.

  There is also a sub-committee of the Standing Candidates' Selection Committee, known as the Elections Committee and is chaired by the Party Officer responsible for Elections.

  The Constituency Association will hold a Selection Meeting, inviting all candidates who have expressed an interest to attend and address. At the conclusion of that meeting the members will select (by secret ballot) if possible, twice the number of candidates required for the election; and that list will be submitted to the Elections Committee.

  The Elections Committee with then interview the candidates selected by the Constituency Association. The final choice will be determined by the candidate or candidates who receive the support of at least five of the seven members of the Elections Committee.

  In the event that the Standing Candidates' Selection Committee is of the opinion that the candidates selected by the Constituency Association do not entirely represent the Party's need in terms of electoral demography or profile, it will reserve the right to add a candidate or candidates (provided they are on the Central Candidates' List or have dispensation from the Party Officers) for interview by the Elections Committee.

  It is also worth noting that any member refused admission to the Central Candidates' List or any candidates refused selection by the Elections Committee will be entitled to appeal to the Party Officers.

  2.(a)  The cost to the potential candidate for the selection process is borne by the potential candidate him/her-self. However the estimated cost would be minimal.

  (b)  The estimated cost to the potential candidate of running a campaign for election to Westminster is also minimal as the Ulster Unionist Party covers all election expenses; with fuel costs being the only cost borne by the potential candidate.

  3.  The Ulster Unionist Party has Election Funds available to support candidates.

  4.  The Executive Committee, on a proposal by the Party Treasurer and Party Officers, decides on the amount allocated for an election. The Elections Officer for each candidate will be responsible for all expenditure during a campaign, and he/she answers to the Party Officer with responsibility for Elections.

  5.  Percentage of party membership who are:

(a) Female—35%.

(b) Black or minority ethnic origin—unknown.

(c) Consider themselves to be disabled—unknown

  We do not record a person's ethnic origin or disability status in our Membership records.

  6.  Percentage of Party Officers who are:

(a) Female—one seventh.

(b) Black or minority ethnic origin—none.

(c) Consider themselves to be disabled—none.

  7.  The Ulster Unionist Party promotes the objectives of the Party and, without regard to gender, race or creed, encourage persons who share its objectives, to join the Party. In our Party elections Manifestos in 2005 we specified that the Ulster Unionist Party believed in the need for normal politics in Northern Ireland. Our policy is to concentrate on the everyday issues which affect all of us: health, schools, rates and water charges, our environment, jobs and investment, and every other issue that matters to all the people of Northern Ireland. Normal politics, in time, will allow parties to form genuine political coalitions and move away from the tribal, divisive politics of the past in Northern Ireland.

  We believe that we have had considerable success in both in terms of attracting female membership and candidacy. We have endeavoured to reach out to those from ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland by translating our website to other minority languages, and by producing pamphlets in other languages in the past two elections.

  Party representatives have been actively working along with representatives from ethnic minority groups, disability groups, and women's groups in order to draw up party policy and to draw membership and support from all sectors of society in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, we hope that our new Candidate Selection procedures will prove successful in achieving a balanced representation in our Candidates List.

  I trust that this information will be of assistance to you. Should you require further clarification please do not hesitate to contact me.