§ 7. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he has received from the Republic of Ireland Government in respect of the closing of the Northern Ireland frontier with the Republic of Ireland on 16th-17th April; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. McNamaraMay I ask my hon. Friend why the frontier was closed, and was not this a rather foolish thing to do, considering the improvement in relations between the north and south in Ireland.
§ Mrs. HartThe measure taken by the Northern Ireland Government was necessary in their view for security reasons. I think it should be realised that the preservation of law and order in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Government, and that it would not be proper for me to comment on their actions.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkIs the hon. Lady aware that the frontier was not closed, that in fact only one train did not run, and that the Minister for External Affairs in Eire said that if the same sort of circumstances prevailed at the same time he might well have taken the same action.
§ Mrs. HartI have read the proceedings in the Dail, and I can substantiate what the hon. Gentleman has said.