HC Deb 27 April 1967 vol 745 cc1807-8
18. Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to obtain residual powers for the maintenance of law and order in Northern Ireland.

Miss Alice Bacon

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to similar Questions on 4th April.—[Vol 744, col. 20–21.]

Mr. Brooks

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it is unsatisfactory that a province of this sovereign United Kingdom should apparently have powers to ban legitimate forms of political activity, on the pretext of a threat to law and order, without consulting Her Majesty's Government?

Miss Bacon

As the land stands, the maintenance of law and order in Northern Ireland is in the hands of the Northern Ireland authorities, who are answerable to their electorate.

Mr. Russell Kerr

You must be joking!

Miss Bacon

As my hon. Friend will know, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I discussed several matters with the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs. Further talks are to take place and I can assure my hon. Friend that we are discussing all those things about which hon. Members have expressed anxiety.

Captain Orr

Is the right hon. Lady aware that she personally has considerable good will in Northern Ireland and that her Answer will be approved? Is she aware that she and the Government should resist pressure from her hon. Friends to interfere with the Parliament of Northern Ireland and its rights, and that any attempt to interfere with those rights would be met with resolute and steadfast resistance?

Miss Bacon

I am aware of the concern which has been expressed and so are my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary. As I have said, we are having talks with the Government of Northern Ireland about many of the things which have been causing anxiety.

Mr. Whitaker

In order that the Government of Northern Ireland shall be accountable to their electorate, as the Minister said, does she intend to talk about he phenomenon known as "Derrymandering"?

Miss Bacon

As I have said, we are discussing all aspects with the Government of Northern Ireland. [An HON. MEMBER: "Gerrymandering?"] We hope to continue these talks shortly.