Northern Ireland Assembly (Hansard, 10 January 1985)

11. Mr. John M. Taylor
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the development of the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly and its functions.

§ Mr. Hurd
The detailed knowledge of local affairs brought by Members to the scrutinising functions of the Assembly's first phase has undoubtedly been helpful. What is required now is agreement on proposals for devolved government that would enable the Assembly to assume the powers envisaged in the Northern Ireland Act 1982: that remains the chief reason for its existence.

Mr. Taylor
Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many who believe in the Assembly and that it is doing a good job? Will he urge SDLP Members to accept that their constituents' best interests are not being served by their continued abstention, and will he prompt the Unionists into giving a lead in showing how useful powers might be acceptably given to the Assembly?

§ Mr. Hurd
In general I agree with my hon. Friend. I am looking forward to the future work of the Report Committee of the Assembly, because that work is central to the body's usefulness.

§ Mr. Stephen Ross
Can the Secretary of State enlighten us as to just how far he has progressed in his talks with the SDLP about its members taking their seats in the Assembly? Has he any statement to make to the House on that point?

§ Mr. Hurd
I make no secret of the fact that I should like to see the SDLP in the Assembly, but it sees great difficulties about that. It is essential that the elected leaders of the main constitutional parties in Northern Ireland should find some means—whether inside the Assembly or without—of—

§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Norman Tebbit)
entered the Chamber—

§ Mr. Hurd
May I take this opportunity to welcome back very warmly to the House my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and to congratulate him on the courage that he has shown throughout these past weeks? May I also ask him to convey our very best wishes to his wife?

§ Mr. Bell
As the duty officer of Her Majesty's Opposition, may I also take this opportunity of welcoming the right hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) back to his place in the House? To paraphrase the words of a song, we have grown accustomed to his style, and we wish, hope and pray that he is now restored to his full strength and vigour. May I add that that is the easiest supplementary question that the Secretary of State will have to answer all day?