NORTHERN IRELAND (ARMS SMUGGLING)

HC Deb 07 May 1970 vol 801 cc580-3

Mr. Philip Goodhart (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about recent attempts to smuggle arms into Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. James Callaghan)

For some months there have been persistent reports of attempts to smuggle arms into Northern Ireland, both by land and by sea. Our security forces maintain a constant vigilance in this matter and carry out operations at frequent intervals to prevent such smuggling.

The House will know that the Regular Army, the Ulster Defence Regiment and the police are present in such strength that criminal activities of this sort cannot disturb the constitutional position.

Mr. Goodhart

Is the Home Secretary proposing to take any further action to improve the liaison between our security services and those of the Republic of Ireland? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that these dramatic incidents underline the importance of bringing the Ulster Defence Regiment up to full strength as quickly as possible?

Mr. Callaghan

On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I do not think that the House will expect me to discuss security arrangements today.

On the second part, the Ulster Defence Regiment has already shown itself to be an effective force. It has already carried out a number of operations and it is backed by the overwhelming strength of the Regular Army.

Mr. Rose

Will the Home Secretary reappraise the suggestion that I made last Thursday to the Prime Minister for a meeting between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland and of the Republic of Ireland? In view of the crisis in the Republic of Ireland, will my right hon. Friend assure people in the Republic that this Government are as concerned as they to end the evils of discrimination and of Unionist rule in Northern Ireland that they have experienced over the last 50 years?

Mr. Callaghan

I think that we should all be a little careful in commenting —this is in no sense a reproach to my hon. Friend—on affairs in the Republic which are not directly our concern. But, so far as they concern Northern Ireland, I am bound to say that.

I can think of no better statement to help maintain and preserve peace in this connection than that by the Taoiseach last September, in which he said that it was his Government's policy to seek the reunification of his country by peaceful means and that there was no intention of using force. He also said: Of its nature this policy … is a long term one. Perseverance in winning the respect and confidence of those now opposed to unity must he sustained by good will, patience, understanding, and, at times, forbearance.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Will the Home Secretary institute a search for such arms as may have come across the border into the Falls Road area of Belfast?

Mr. Callaghan

Search continues for arms which come in either across the border or across the sea. That is why I put both into my commentary. We should not assume that arms come only from one side.

Miss Devlin

Will my right hon. Friend admit that this particular crisis finally proves that the whole constitutional question of Ireland must be reopened and discussed? The people of Northern Ireland live in an area over which this Parliament exercises jurisdiction, but according to the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland it is an area over which it, too, has a right to exercise jurisdiction. When we come to the crisis of armed intervention, is it not time to get round the table again and discuss the constitution?

Mr. Callaghan

I remember that the hon. Lady told me in her maiden speech that no Englishman could ever hope to understand or propose remedies for the situation in Ireland. I have consistently followed her advice, and have indicated to the people of the North that it is for them to find solutions to these problems. We in this House can help, but I do not believe that a solution proposed by us would stand any chance of success.

Mr. Hogg

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his robust confidence in the efficacy of the forces of the Crown to maintain the constitutional position is wholly welcome to us on this side of the House, as is his determination to protect citizens of any persuasion in the North from illegal arms from whatever source?

Mr. Callaghan

I am obliged to the right hon. and learned Gentleman. He has consistently helped in this matter to preserve and maintain peace and to ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland is able to live in peace and on a basis of justice and security.

Mr. Henry Clark

Does the Home Secretary agree that any change that took place in the present constitutional position and status quo in Northern Ireland would be likely to lead to further civil strife and possibly to civil war in a short period?

Mr. Callaghan

I do not want to add to the words of the Taoiseach, which I think were extremely wise and well-founded. This must be a long process. I would add that this is a time for bold leadership in Ireland. Those who are determined to preserve the peace and to ensure that the people of Ireland are not separated into trenches by the crossfire of gunmen must be bold in their actions against those who would use violent means.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

While endorsing the admirable sentiments to which the right hon. Gentleman has twice referred, may I ask whether he will affirm to any who might be minded to take a different view that any armed intervention across the frontiers of the United Kingdom aimed at preventing, by force, the right of people to remain British, if they so wish, will be a serious constitutional matter and would be so regarded by the Government?

Mr. Callaghan

When there was some unfounded disquiet about this last August, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland wrote that sentiment into the Downing Street communiqué. There can never be any doubt about this. I am willing to say it as often as seems necessary. I do not believe that any hon. Member doubts it, and it is equally important that no one anywhere else should doubt it. It is evident from the statements from the Prime Minister of the Republic that we are dealing with a Government who, while adhering to its views, have indicated more than once that they intend to pursue them by peaceful means.