HC Deb 19 February 1976 vol 905 cc1478-9
17. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has studied the recent report on the situation in Northern Ireland presented to the Council of Europe, together with the subsequent debate and resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Yes, Sir. The resolution now goes forward to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for consideration. I should like to pay tribute to the comprehensiveness and fairness of the report and to the constructive part played in the debate by Members from this country.

Mr. Hunt

Does the Secretary of State agree that the debate in Strasbourg was restrained and constructive, that it set an example to certain other assemblies, and, indeed, marked recognition within Europe of the appalling burdens currently borne by the British Government and people? Did he note the generally helpful, and perhaps surprisingly conciliatory, statement made in that debate by the Southern Irish delegation to the Council of Europe? Does this not offer a glimmer of hope for the future?

Mr. Rees

I said in my original reply how valuable I found the report. I also noted the overall nature of the comments made by the delegates from the South of Ireland. Much as I welcome that attitude, it does not invalidate the fact that responsibility for Northern Ireland rests in this House. However, I am glad to receive any useful advice from elsewhere.

Mr. Powell

In commenting on that report, will the Secretary of State bear in mind what he told the House this afternoon, namely, that the circumstances in Northern Ireland are frequently more complicated than they appear to be to the outside world and are not always amenable to simple, however well-meant, suggestions?

Mr. Rees

I accept that there is no simple solution, but it is sometimes valuable to obtain reports of this nature from people who have visited Ireland and who have come up with the same ideas as those put forward in this House. All too often people go there for a day or two and come back with a simple answer. That is one reason why I thought the report was a good one.