Regional Policy (Hansard, 21 June 1973)

§ 1. Mr. Douglas
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on consultations between his office and the Commission of the EEC with regard to regional policy.

§ The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. David Howell)
Mr. George Thomson, the EEC Commissioner responsible for regional policy, recently paid a two-day visit to Northern Ireland in the course of which he had discussions with my right hon. Friend and with a wide range of interested people. I have also had meetings with Mr. Thomson and his officials in London and in Brussels.

§ Mr. Douglas
I thank the Minister for that reply. Will his right hon. Friends the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the Secretary of State follow up these matters with the Government of the Republic of Ireland?

§ Mr. Howell
These are matters that will be the concern of my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

§ Mr. Merlyn Rees
Does regional policy come within the responsibility of the new Executive in Northern Ireland? Will the Executive discuss regional policy directly with the Government of the Republic of Ireland, or will it be reserved entirely to the Westminster Government?

§ Mr. Howell
The Executive would certainly be concerned with regional policy and would discuss it. The main aspects would be matters for my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, who is responsible for overall United Kingdom policy. As for relations with the South, regional policy matters could go on the agenda on the basis of the consent of both sides or of that of the future Council of Ireland, if so wished.

§ Mr. Stratton Mills
What arrangements will there be for an outlet for the Northern Ireland viewpoint in Brussels?

§ Mr. Howell
In my main answer I gave an indication of that, in the sense that the views of Northren Ireland are already being clearly heard in Brussels and were clearly put to the Commisioner when he recently visited Belfast, Londonderry and other parts of Northern Ireland. My hon. Friend need have no doubt that the views and interests of Northern Ireland are and will be heard in Brussels.