§ 28. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he was informed and approved of the recent visit of the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs to Belfast; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeDr. Fitz-Gerald visited Northern Ireland in a private capacity on 25th April. I understand that the purpose of the visit was to fulfil a long-standing engagement to meet certain members of the Protestant community, and that he took the opportunity of meeting representatives of the Catholic community as well. We were given advance notice of his intentions, and no objections were made.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonAcknowledging the high qualities of Dr. Garret FitzGerald and agreeing that Irish Ministers are always to be welcomed in the United Kingdom, may I ask why, if this was a private visit, it was abused in order to level strictures against the conduct of Her Majesty's forces? What assurance has my right hon. Friend obtained that there will be no repetition of such intrusion on United Kingdom sovereignty?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe more exchanges there are between North and South, the better it is for everybody if they are conducted with discretion, and I am sure that Dr. FitzGerald conducted himself with every possible discretion in this matter. I cannot answer for what I consider to be unjustifiable, alarmist and misleading reports that have appeared in some newspapers.