§ Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the reconvening of the Northern Ireland Convention.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs I told the House on 12th January the Constitutional Convention will meet on 3rd February to consider the matters referred to it: these are set out in the letter which I sent to the Chairman of the Convention on 14th January published as a White Paper on 16th January.—[Vol. 903, c. 61.]
§ Mr. FarrI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that information. Will he assure the House that if he feels that the Convention is near agreement after the four weeks set for the reconvened Convention, he will take it upon himself to have the powers, if necessary, shortly to extend its sitting?
§ Mr. ReesI think the time has now come for there to be no flexibility for the Convention. It has had a long period to discuss the issues. I shall call it back for a month. In my view, that is sufficient. Of course, if it is necessary, I shall extend the time, but, whether successful or unsuccessful, the Convention will soon come to an end.