HC Deb 24 May 1979 vol 967 cc1213-5
2. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to inform international opinion about current events in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

I am very conscious that there are many misconceptions abroad about Northern Ireland. I shall seek to use every opportunity to inform international opinion about the facts of the situation. Information on a wide range of issues is provided to Her Majesty's representatives overseas, and within the United Kingdom to representatives and journalists from other countries.

Mr. Adley

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that politicians designated as Irish-American are unlikely to be able to offer an objective view on current events in Northern Ireland? Is he satisfied that the public in the United States understand that the majority of those in Northern Ireland are, and wish to remain, citizens of the United Kingdom, and that most, if not the overwhelming majority, have been in Northern Ireland a great deal longer than most of the citizens of the United States have been in that country, other than perhaps the Red Indians? Will he therefore seek an early meeting with our new ambassador, Sir Nicholas Henderson, to find ways of ensuring that American public opinion is better informed?

Mr. Atkins

I am sure that almost all leaders in the United States are motivated by a genuine desire to see a peaceful solution to the political situation in Northern Ireland. I welcome their interest when it is used constructively—for example, when they help to cut off financial and other support for terrorists. I agree that we must not relax our efforts to inform public opinion in the United States. I shall certainly take the opportunity of seeing our new ambassador before he takes up his post.

10. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to introduce a new political initiative in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

I share the hon. Member's desire to see political progress in Northern Ireland and I shall be using my best endeavours to achieve this. I am in the process of a first round of discussions with the principal political parties in the Province. I shall want to reflect on what they have to say and upon other advice which I am receiving before I decide what to do.

Mr. Flannery

Has the Secretary of State noticed that successive Governments, whether Labour or Tory, over a period of 10 years, have utterly failed to solve, or even attempt to solve, the problem in Northern Ireland? Has he also noticed that most of the questions tabled for reply today are about security and not about politics? Does he agree with me that the long-term solution of this problem is a political one? No matter how stringent security is, it fails to solve the problem. In welcoming the discussions that the right hon. Gentleman is already holding, apparently, may I ask whether he will widen those discussions and bring into them the Southern Ireland Government, all the legitimate political parties in Northern Ireland, and the Opposition in this House, along with the present Tory Government?

Mr. Atkins

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not be able to accuse me of not attempting to solve the problems. Whether I can succeed is another matter. I am determined to try. Of course, I am ready to have discussions with anyone who is interested, whether they are formal political parties or individuals. I am anxious to get advice from any quarter that I can.

Mr. Flannery

All together—not separate.

Mr. Atkins

In the first place, I think that it is appropriate to do it separately.

Concerning the Government of the Republic, I hope that we can have both help and support from them. Of course, they have an interest in what is going on, but Northern Ireland is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government and this House.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no solution or initiative which is of the slightest interest to the Provisional IRA other than abject surrender to its demands and that it will use every discussion, every initiative and every political action simply, so far as it can pervert it, to further its ends?

Mr. Atkins

I very much agree with the right hon. Gentleman—which is why hope that the Government will have the wholehearted support of this House in their efforts to stamp out terrorism.

Mr. Abse

What comment has the Minister to make upon the justified criticism of Speaker Tip O'Neill at the lack of a political initiative in recent years on the whole Irish question? Is the Minister aware that the opinion that is growing in the United States of America as the majority opinion, however much bipartisan policy may seek to suppress it in this country, makes it abundantly clear that an initiative is required which means, and is shown to mean to the people of Ulster, that this country is no longer prepared to buttress for ever the divisive policies of the Unionists and their kind?

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

Welsh out!

Mr. Atkins

I do not think that it would be very profitable for me to comment on what Mr. O'Neill said in Northern Ireland about what has been going on for the past 10 years. I must repeat what I have said before—that I know how difficult a problem this is. A solution can be achieved only by good will on the part of everyone concerned, and that includes, of course, principally the people of the Province. It includes also this House, and it goes wider than that to include help, which I hope we shall receive, from leading figures in the United States.