§ 7. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he intends to take to increase democratic representation in the Province at regional level.
§ Mr. MasonI have already put to the main political parties in Northern Ireland a framework for the establishment of a single elected authority at regional level. I set out some of the essential principles of the framework in replies which I gave on 7th April to two Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, South-East (Mr. Cohen).
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonHow much longer will the Secretary of State be satisfied to leave Northern Ireland without 1389 proper democratic control over its local services? Is it not time that he set up a new study into the right structure of local government for the Province, particularly as direct rule looks likely to continue for longer than most people imagined?
§ Mr. MasonIf the political parties in Northern Ireland will examine more closely the five-point plan for devolution in Northern Ireland, they will see that I shall give the locally elected representatives the right democratic control over many of the services to which the hon. Gentleman referred. I hope, therefore, that they will be prepared to look again at that plan.
§ Mr. NeaveWill the Secretary of State be a little more specific in replying to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson)? Surely he will agree that it is no longer satisfactory for Ministers to be responsible for local government matters winch were dealt with by county and district councils prior to 1973. Does he not also agree that a top tier of local government could best control some of the functions now exercised by area boards and his Department? Would not the best system be one whereby both sections of the community from all political parties could administer local affairs?
§ Mr. MasonIt depends what the hon. Gentleman means by "local government". To have a British style of local government in Northern Ireland would mean the restoration of Protestant rule in the Province. If power is transferred to the Province on that basis, therefore definitions matter. The five-point plan that I have laid before the community is a plan for a transfer of real powers back to Northern Ireland and for control to be by democratically elected representatives. That will pass the acceptability test of the House and the acceptability test of our bi-partisan policy. It is important to get the definitions right. I want to establish a partnership administration within the Province.
§ Mr. NeaveSurely the Secretary of State is talking about a regional council to which all political parties in Northern Ireland would be elected. Therefore, could not the two sections of the community be represented through a committee system, and so participate in local affairs, as they did prior to 1973?
§ Mr. MasonWe have 26 district councils in Northern Ireland which are democratically elected. Between the district councils and Westminster representation there are the area boards, which have elected councillors on them, along with other professional organisations. If the various parties in Northern Ireland can reach an agreement and are willing to talk and to work together on a regional authority in which the minority will be able to participate, we can see some of those boards having their work taken from them and put completely in the hands of the democratically elected representatives.
§ Mr. John EllisWill my right hon. Friend resist the pressures that are being exerted on him? Does he agree that one of the main criteria must be that any move in this direction must have the acceptance of both sides of the community of Northern Ireland? Will he comment on the crass tactics of the Unionists, of trying to twist the Government's arm by withholding their support? To do it in this manner by hammering us is likely to alienate some Labour Members, rather than otherwise.
§ Mr. MasonMy hon. Friend makes that point with force and vigour. I could equal it. It is satisfactory to say that our policy has not changed. If we want to go down the path of devolution in Northern Ireland, it will be with the participation of the minority of the community.