§ 4. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his discussion with the political parties in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsI am in regular contact with all the main parties in Northern Ireland about matters of concern in the Province. I am always ready to have discussions with them, whether on matters of a political, security or economic nature.
§ Mr. McNamaraWill the Secretary of State say whether the leak in The Times earlier this week, that the right hon. Gentleman and his officials were thinking in terms of an elected assembly for the Six Counties without any specific executive powers, is the policy of the right hon. Gentleman and his friends? If so, will he explain to the House how he could fit that into a Northern Ireland context, rather than just the Six Counties context, which would be disastrous?
§ Mr. AtkinsAfter over a quarter of a century in the House, I have learned much better than to confirm or deny reports in newspapers.
§ Dr. MawhinneyDoes my right hon. Friend accept that if any Government action is to follow discussions with political parties in Northern Ireland it must be on the basis of their acquiescence rather than on the basis of their agreement?
§ Mr. AtkinsI take my hon. Friend's point. We have always sought the agreement of the political parties in Northern Ireland to any course which we have considered. As I said in answer to another question, that was the purpose of the conference. Whether we can get full-blooded agreement remains a matter of doubt. We have not done so so far. However, I take note of my hon. Friend's suggestion.