HC Deb 08 March 1973 vol 852 cc571-2
7. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Committee on Trade Unions following the recent one-day stoppage.

15. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent official talks he has had with trade unionists in Northern Ireland.

Mr. David Howell

My right hon. Friend met representatives of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on 21st February to discuss the events of 7th February and other issues.

Mr. Cox

The hon. Gentleman will therefore be fully aware of the widespread criticism by the trade union movement in Northern Ireland of the brutal physical attacks that took place against workers during that one-day stoppage. Is he further aware that there is also criticism of what the trade union movement regards as a lack of adequate security forces on duty to protect those workers? Can he give some assurance that wherever possible adequate security forces will be available, should there be further stoppages?

Mr. Howell

I fully share the hon. Member's feelings about intimidation. This is something that my right hon. and hon. Friends have condemned in the strongest terms. We are determined to see that the brutal kind of intimidation —indeed, all intimidation—is stamped out and discouraged in every possible way. As for the security forces, a great deal is done, was done and continues to be done to minimise the dangers, but one has to face the fact that as long as some people are prepared to use these intimidatory methods it requires not merely the Government and the security forces but everybody—all citizens—to work together on the shop floor and at all levels to overcome them. We are very well aware of it, and determined to reduce it.

Mr. William Hamilton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we all hope—certainly Opposition Members—that the Secretary of State will talk to the trade unionists in Northern Ireland in more temperate language than he used about trade unionists here, when he compared their activities with those of the IRA? This was regarded as highly objectionable, not only by the trade union movement but by some of us on this side who are anxious that there should be a bipartisan policy in seeking solutions of the Northern Ireland problem. The right hon. Gentleman's speech made no contribution to that end at all.

Mr. Howell

There was no such comparison. That is based on a misunderstanding. My right hon. Friend has repeatedly made clear the high value he places on the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Northern Ireland Committee, which plays a very statesmanlike and valuable role as a force for sanity in Northern Ireland. My right hon. Friend is the first to recognise this. He always has, and continues to do so.