§ 14. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with political leaders in the Province since the signature of the Anglo-Irish agreement.
§ Mr. Tom KingI have met all the leaders of the major constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland at least once since 15 November—on a number of occasions in company with the Prime Minister. At all those meetings I have made it clear that the Government would welcome discussion about political development in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonWhat are the Government doing to regain the consent of the governed? Since adequate pre-existing machinery for Anglo-Irish cooperation and consultation is present, would not a protracted period of silence from the Intergovernmental Conference be most welcome and helpful?
§ Mr. KingMy hon. Friend will be aware that in answer to an earlier question I said that I hoped there would shortly be discussions to see whether a framework for talks was possible. That is the most positive way forward, to see whether we can at last start talks to help regain the confidence to which my hon. Friend referred.