HC Deb 01 July 1976 vol 914 cc626-7
2. Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement about the discussions held by his Department with the Provisional Sinn Fein.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Merlyn Rees)

As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 13th April, my officials will talk with any lawful organisation in Northern Ireland, although no negotiations have taken place or will take place. I am not prepared to give details of meetings with individual organisations.

Mr. Gow

Is the Secretary of State aware that the continued discussions between his Department and the political spokesmen of the IRA are profoundly damaging and dangerous to the cause which he shares with hon. Members on this side of the House—namely, the rule of law and the restoration of peace in Northern Ireland? Does he accept that the policy that he is following of discussion with Sinn Fein is very damaging indeed to the morale of the security forces in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Rees

I do not agree at all with the hon. Gentleman's latter point. The whole feeling of republicanism that exists in Northern Ireland marks it out as different. I thought I was right 18 months ago to take advantage of the opportunity of trying to break the log jam that had built up over the previous seven years. I would have been wrong not to attempt something then. If that is again necessary in the future, I shall do it.

Mr. Neave

What was the last occasion on which these talks took place? Is the Secretary of State aware that the talks are very unpopular in Dublin? Is it not clear that members of Provisional Sinn Fein are the spokesmen for an illegal organisation? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree with those in Northern Ireland who say that talks with men whose only voice is a Thompson sub-machine gun or an Armelite rifle are entirely futile?

Mr. Rees

My officials do not meet with people like that. What the hon. Gentleman is saying is logical, but it shows no understanding of the situation in Northern Ireland or of the large number of people with republican leanings. The matter cannot be left alone. If the question arises, we shall do the same again. I am not prepared to give the dates when the talks last took place. I insist that if it is necessary it will happen again.