§ 13. Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make arrangements to meet the Defence Minister of the Eire Government.
§ Mr. MolloyDoes my right hon. Friend agree that inasmuch as the terrorist tactics and weapons used on the civilian populations of Dublin, Belfast and London constitute the most loathsome form of military attack, he and his opposite number in Eire should try to find a form of liaison to have a joint endeavour against this form of attack on civilian organisations by these terrible paramilitary terrorists?
§ Mr. MasonI agree fully with my hon. Friend. First of all, there is scope for much closer co-operation on security and on the border. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has already had talks on that basis. As I said earlier, if there were any specific subjects to discuss and a convenient opportunity arose I should be perfectly prepared to talk to my opposite number in Eire.
§ Mr. AmeryIn view of the reported failure of the Armed Forces to assure the march of trade unionists in Belfast this morning, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to intensify the training of the Armed Forces in picket-breaking in support of the civil power?
§ Mr. MasonThat supplementary question does not flow from the original Question, which relates to Eire and not to Northern Ireland. Our troops are well trained and are doing a magnificent job in a remarkably restrained manner in very difficult conditions. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will take time out to go to see them and to praise them.