§ 13. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will invite any six members of the United States Congress to spend two months in Northern Ireland with complete and untrammelled access to all persons and places.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsNo, but members of the United States Congress are always welcome visitors to Northern Ireland, and appropriate facilities are provided for them.
§ Mr. HooleyMight it not help to dispel some of the current mythology in the United States about what is happening in Northern Ireland if we extended such a formal invitation and gave absolutely free facilities to the people concerned?
§ Mr. AtkinsI repeat that members of the United States Congress are welcome to come, and they do. We talk to them. Indeed, four members of Congress were in the Province only a fortnight ago. I cannot go along with the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that they should have
complete and untrammelled access to all persons and placesfor two months.
Mr. J. Enoch PowellIn view of the horrific accounts circulating as to conditions in American gaols, ought not such arrangements be made on a reciprocal basis, if at all?
§ Mr. AtkinsIf the right hon. Gentleman wishes to visit American gaols, I have no doubt that the United States will offer him all the necessary facilities to do so.