HC Deb 29 July 1976 vol 916 cc853-5
6. Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has made any further progress in reconciling conflicting views amongst political leaders in Northern Ireland regarding progress towards an elected parliament or assembly for the Province.

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

As I told the House on 2nd July, I am always ready to entertain constructive and responsible ideas from those in Northern Ireland who are prepared to work together for Northern Ireland. I have played no part in the recent conversations between the SDLP and OUP, which I understand have been adjourned.

I am ready to play a part at an appropriate time.

Mr. Latham

Does the Secretary of State think that he has an energetic rôle to play here, or is he settling down for a long period of direct rule? If the latter, the question of Ulster representation here cannot be shelved indefinitely.

Mr. Rees

It is not a matter of being energetic. A fool can be energetic, and it is easy to be foolish in Northern Ireland, as the hon. Gentleman would find if he went there. Therefore, it is a matter not of being energetic but of judging the situation.

On the question of seats, I received a news release from the United Ulster Unionist Party on the talks. I read in it that I am to get a report. I do not think that I have yet received the report. The news release referred to being fully represented in all the democratic fora, and said that agreement had been reached. Immediately that news release was issued, the spokesman for the SDLP, Mr. John Hume, made it clear that the SDLP was not in favour of any extra representation in this House. So runs the problem that we have to face.

Mr. Powell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my right hon. and hon. Friends and I are gratified by the interest, as shown on the Order Paper, taken by hon. Members representing constituencies in Great Britain in the affairs of Northern Ireland and that we regard that as a welcome sign of the acceptance of the status of Northern Ireland as an integral part of the United Kingdom? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom in which there are conflicting views on the form and desirability of devolution?

Mr. Rees

I am glad that other right hon. and hon. Members are showing a great interests in the wider issues in Northern Ireland. I think that is right.

When in Northern Ireland I read that there are other problems of devolution in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Cryer

I wonder whether, in the absence of any immediate facilities for a Northern Ireland Assembly, my right lion Friend has any comment to make on the scrutiny by this Parliament of subordinate legislation applying to Northern Ireland? Does he not feel that with the likelihood of direct rule continuing, there ought to be a greater opportunity for elected representatives here to have that necessary degree of scrutiny?

Mr. Rees

There is a problem here. I do not propose to go into the question of the technical nature of the orders. We have announced that we are prepared to make some changes, arising from our debates on Northern Ireland.

Mr. Neave

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of our agreement that there is little point in trying to hustle political progress towards another form of devolved government in Northern Ireland? In the meantime what steps is he taking to make direct rule less bureaucratic and more accessible to local opinion?

Mr. Rees

I understand the problem about direct rule, but, as was the case with the previous Administration, Ministers who work with me in the Northern Ireland Office spend a great deal of time in all parts of Northern Ireland. I do not think there are any Ministers in any other Department who are as accessible to the people of an area as Northern Ireland Ministers are.