HC Deb 05 November 1970 vol 805 cc1242-4
16. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Government concerning the situation in Ulster.

42. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his recent consultations with the authorities in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Maudling

I had discussions, which were confidential, with Major Chichester-Clark on 30th October.

Mr. Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Sir Arthur Young enjoyed the confidence of the responsible minority in Ulster? Will he assure the House that Sir Arthur's resignation was not caused by political pressure from the majority at Stormont?

Mr. Maudling

Yes, I firmly give that assurance.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Since the whole future of civil peace in Northern Ireland depends on the police enjoying the confidence of the minority as well as of the majority there, may I ask my right hon. Friend to say what steps he proposes to urge on the Stormont Government in view of Sir Arthur Young's very worried statement yesterday?

Mr. Maudling

I have only just seen the statement. It was made by Sir Arthur Young in his position as Chief Constable, responsible to the Stormont Government. I am certain that Major Chichester-Clark and his colleagues will be examining it as a matter of urgency.

Mr. Rose

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take action on a report published yesterday which shows that there are eight members of the R.U.C. still in the R.U.C. after having been found guilty of assault? Does he agree that such action is absolutely imperative in view of the effect that this will have on the minority in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Maudling

This is a constitutional matter for the Northern Ireland Government.

Mr. Stratton Mills

Does my right hon. Friend recall that both General Freeland and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belfast referred to the outside influences involved in last week-end's disturbances? May we have an assurance that the intelligence staff will follow up their inquiries into the activities of these outside influences?

Mr. Maudling

I saw those two statements, which I thought were designed to be helpful, and which were helpful. There are certainly some evil influences at work in Northern Ireland at the moment and we shall do all we can to prevent them from doing harm.

Mr. McNamara

Although I agree that the Home Secretary is right in that comment, may I ask him to agree that there are evil influences at work on both sides? Does he accept that while the present state of affairs, as revealed yesterday by the Chief of Police in Northern Ireland, remains, and while no action has been taken against the people who were involved in Samuel Devenney's death—[Interruption.]—the fears and suspicions of the minority, not only in Derry but in the rest of Northern Ireland, will be strengthened far more than if positive action were taken in this matter?

Mr. Maudling

I would certainly not say that the evil influences concerned were only on one side. I have never said that and I know that that is not true. As for the rest of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, that is a matter for the Northern Ireland Government and I know that Major Chichester-Clark will be examining it as a matter of urgency.