HC Deb 28 June 1966 vol 730 cc1585-7
Q4. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the likelihood of disturbances which may affect the safety of Her Majesty during her proposed visit to Northern Ireland on 4th July, if he will now tender advice suggesting that the visit be cancelled.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the Prime Minister aware that many people, both in Britain and in Northern Ireland, feel that a visit by Her Majesty to Northern Ireland is not wise at a time when disorders are being fomented and murders perpetrated by a gang of neo-Nazis in that part of the Kingdom? Can he say whether he or any other person can give an absolute guarantee of the safety of Her Majesty on the occasion of her visit in these circumstances?

The Prime Minister

I think that the hon. Member will recognise that the duty of Her Majesty's Government in advising Her Majesty does not extend in general terms to a visit within the United Kingdom, except to the extent that the point is raised—which the hon. Member did raise—of possible danger to Her Majesty's person. On this subject we have been in the closest touch with the Northern Ireland Government and we feel that it would be wrong for us to tender the advice that Her Majesty should not go. With regard to the outrages described by the hon. Member, I understand that a number of persons have been arrested on charges arising out of this shooting incident. With regard to this organisation, I do not think that the hon. Member overstated the position in the words he used; it is a quasi-Fascist organisation masquerading behind a clerical cloak. I understand that the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland has this afternoon announced in the Northern Ireland House of Commons the decision of the Northern Ireland Government, under the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) (Northern Ireland) Act, 1922, to declare the so-called Ulster Volunteer Force an unlawful association.

Mr. Fitt

Is the Prime Minister aware that only last week the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland refused to implement the provisions of the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) (Northern Ireland) Act against this organisation, and also that an explosive situation exists in Northern Ireland today, due to the reluctance of the Northern Ireland Government to protect the lives of their subjects? Is he further aware that there are Unionist extremists and murder gangs operating in the streets of Northern Ireland? It is for this Government to take action and not the Government of Northern Ireland— [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member must confine his remarks to the subject matter of the Question, which is the safety of Her Majesty.

The Prime Minister

With regard to the subject matter of the Question, whatever was the position a week ago, I have informed the House that the Government of Northern Ireland have proscribed this so-called Ulster Volunteer Force. The words that I used in describing it, as well as the words used by the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Lubbock), did not go beyond or in any way improve upon the very strong condemnation of this organisation and its members by the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland himself in his Parliament.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Arising out of that reply, are not the strong measures to be taken by the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland almost inevitable after the dastardly act of last Saturday night, which we all condemn, as do 99.9 per cent, of the Northern Ireland population? Would it not, therefore, be desirable that nothing should be said, here or there, to inflame passions?

The Prime Minister

I began by describing this as an outrage. I am certain that the whole House will condemn these outrages. I have said that certain persons have been arrested and I cannot say any more about that because the matter is now sub judice. I would say that a higher proportion of the Northern Ireland population than the hon. Member quoted—and in the United Kingdom as a whole—would condemn this recourse to violence for any purposes whatsoever.