§ 20. Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is now able to say whether he is satisfied with the progress of his political initiative; and if he will make a statement.
25. Mr. Biggs-Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the situation in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. WhitelawSubstantial progress has been made in isolating the terrorists. Nevertheless the continued serious level of violence is imposing a considerable strain on the patience of the law-abiding members of the community. This causes me great concern, as continued restraint is vital for the future of everyone in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. KilfedderCan my right hon. Friend dispel the widespread rumours that Mr. Howard Smith, the Westminster representative in Northern Ireland, has had some sort of contact with the IRA, either the official or the unofficial wing? Does he not realise that some of the initiatives which he is pursuing represent a real danger in that they may alienate the law-abiding majority who see lawlessness succeeding?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe hon. Gentleman refers to an official responsible to the British Government. It is therefore a British Government responsibility totally. I can assure my hon. Friend there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in the various allegations made in the newspapers last weekend that there is any contact at all with the Official or Provisional wings of the IRA. Dealing with his second point, yes I realise this, perhaps no one better. All I can say is that I believe a policy of military action and political reconciliation is vital. It needs time to be effective. I realise the strain and I am very concerned about it. I will do anything I can to overcome it. At the same time restraint is of the utmost importance, in everyone's interest.
§ Mr. McManusWill the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the hunger strike presently taking place has a tremendous significance and bearing on the political initiatives from the South? Will he take it from me that the demands that these men are making have the backing of a least a considerable proportion of the minority? Will he tell the House whether he is prepared to grant political status to these men and, if they are determined to continue with their hunger strike, will he allow them to die?
§ Mr. WhitelawI think the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that his last 694 point is highly hypothetical. I am determined to see that I am not blackmailed. No British Minister can be blackmailed and that is something everyone has to understand. At the same time the point I made earlier about prisoners is a valid one, and I hope that all those concerned will consider it. I hope that the hon. Gentleman and many others will use their influence to persuade those on hunger strike that it is an unwise action.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonStormont having been prorogued for one year only, is my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State giving long-term consideration to, and is the Commission on the Constitution thinking about, either a resumption of parliamentary self-government or closer union with Great Britain?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am certainly giving careful consideration to, and in all the talks I have had with many different sections of the community in Northern Ireland I have heard many views about, the future constitutional position. I am very anxious that all the people in Northern Ireland should have an opportunity to consider the political future they want for their country, and I certainly hope to take steps to that end.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI am particularly glad that the right hon. Gentleman has denied the newspaper stories of last week end about supposed negotiations, not the least important of the reasons being that my name was associated with them as an intermediary. I am glad the Secretary of State has denied this nonsensical story. We agree that there cannot be swift progress. The initative of two months ago has revealed what many felt before: that the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want peace and not war.
§ Mr. WhitelawI accept what the hon. Member says. The strains imposed by the actions taken by the House and the Government on many members of the majority community are very great and I fully understand them. I wish to calm them in any way I possibly can. I realise their feelings and I must say, though it may not be accepted, that I have done everything I can to understand those feelings.
§ Mr. MartenWe support the admirable aim of restoring peace and prosperity 695 in Northern Ireland, but can the Government say yet what their political aim for that country is?
§ Mr. WhitelawOur political aim is to set up for the future a form of political democracy which in the first instance, I hope, will be contributed to by the views of the people of Northern Ireland themselves. In the final event they must put forward their views and I would hope to get as near a consensus as possible. I would like to hear from them and I hope to give them the means of expressing their view so that we can decide how best to set up what I might call a democratic position which is consistent with a sensible future for the whole community in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. OrmeMany of us believe from what we have recently seen that there are great dangers in Northern Ireland, but there are great hopes too. In this regard, does the Secretary of State agree that the ending of the no-go areas, which has become a central issue for many of the Protestants, is essential? This must be done through peaceful negotiations and it cannot be done by military means. The steps taken by the Secretary of State on internment are in the right direction. Will he urge upon both sections of the community that he is not taking a one-sided view but is a mediating force with the first requirement of achieving a cessation of hostilities, the end of violence by the Provisional wing of the IRA and the opening of negotiations with the elected representatives in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. WhitelawI agree with the hon. Gentleman that there are great dangers in Northern Ireland and they have existed for a long time. No one is in a better position to recognise this than I am, but I seek all the time to persuade the communities that I wish to see reconciliation and a sensible future for Northern Ireland, and I am doing all I can to that end. I know that many people believe that I am the devil incarnate, and I understand that, but I can assure the House, on behalf of the British Government, that I am determined to do everything I can for the best for everyone in Northern Ireland.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyIs the Secretary of State aware that the statement he has made today that he has not been negotiating in any way with the Irish Republican 696 Army will be received in Northern Ireland with great pleasure? My name as well as that of the hon. Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Merlyn Rees) was linked with the scurrilous report that some of us were negotiating with those who are carrying out a campaign of murder and anarchy. Does the Secretary of State feel that the time has now come when he should make a definite stand and call for an end to the campaign of civil disobedience and let all the elected representatives of all parties sit round a table and talk about the future of Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. WhitelawI very much endorse the hon. Gentleman's last point and I welcome some of the recent steps that have been taken. I hope they will go further because I am sure that what he has suggested would be in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland. The hon. Gentleman, the hon. Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Merlyn Rees) and I have all been linked in accusations which were clearly untrue. The best evidence that they were untrue is that all three of us were linked in them together.
§ Mr. StallardMany of us would agree with the Secretary of State about the fears of the majority population in Northern Ireland. What are his plans for visiting the Shankill Road and Sandy Row and what steps is he taking to meet the leaders of the majority populations in these areas as soon as possible?
§ Mr. WhitelawI take note of what the hon. Member says and I will consider the points he has made to me.
§ Dr. MillerOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to seek your advice—[Hon. Members: "Do it at 3.30."] I hope that hon. Members will not mind my putting my point of order to Mr. Speaker. [Interruption.] Let Mr. Speaker speak.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat might be a great mistake. If the hon. Member has a point of order I would prefer to hear it at 3.30.
§ Dr. MillerMay I ask my point of order now, lest the Secretary of State and his retinue rush off to catch the ferry to Lame, or should I wait until after questions? I am in your hands, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerI prefer the hon. Member to put his point of order at 3.30. I am 697 sure the Secretary of State will wait to listen to it. Questions to the Prime Minister. Mr. Leslie Huckfield.