§ 12. Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what subjects were discussed at the last meeting between representatives of Her Majesty's Government and the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. Tom KingI hope to meet Irish Ministers shortly, at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference. The final agenda is not yet fixed, but security co-operation will certainly be one of the subjects and, as announced after the last meeting, the problems of west Belfast and other disadvantaged areas will be discussed together with a number of other matters. The joint statement issued after the last meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference on 4 May sets out the matters discussed. A copy has been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. CanavanIn view of the previous concern expressed by the Irish Government, and, indeed, by many people in Britain, about the RUC's shoot-to-kill policy in Northern 513 Ireland, what assessment has been made of the effect upon British-Irish relations of the political orders given to the SAS to extend the shoot-to-kill policy to Gibraltar?
§ Mr. KingThat thoroughly pernicious question that the hon. Gentleman chose to ask starts from a fundamental distortion of the facts. Whatever views and comments may have been expressed about certain aspects of Mr. Stalker's report and inquiry, the hon. Gentleman might do the House the courtesy of recognising that Mr. Stalker made it clear that he was satisfied that there was no shoot-to-kill policy.
§ Mr. Tim SmithWill my right hon. Friend discuss with representatives of the Government of the Republic the performance of the respective economies of the two parts of Ireland, and will he draw to their attention the beneficial effects that the Government's economic policies are now having in the Province, in particular the recent fall in unemployment?
§ Mr. KingIt is true that there is a great contrast between the performances of the two economies, and that leads to certain difficulties when we have lower taxation and lower indirect taxes. It raises considerable problems for us in smuggling across the border, which is now becoming substantial and which we are seeking to tackle. I recognise that the successful economic growth in the United Kingdom has been slowly, but now more progressively, reflected in Northern Ireland. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the welcome fall in unemployment.
§ Mr. McCuskerWhy does the Secretary of State not come to the House following such meetings and make a statement in accordance with the normal conventions of the House following such meetings with a foreign Government? Is is simply because he has nothing of any significance to report, or is it just that he is still contemptuous of the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. KingThe hon Gentleman knows that I have been scrupulous on every occasion when there has been a meeting of the Conference in immediately placing a full report of that in the Library. Moreover, I have extended an invitation to every elected Member in Northern Ireland to meet me before and after the meeting—[Interruption.] If the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues would like a personal report from me after the next Conference meeting, I shall be more than happy to provide it.
§ Mr. BaldryIs my right hon. Friend able to confirm that the Government's proposals for equality of employment in Northern Ireland are both fair and firm, proceeding by way of a code of practice? Do they not ensure maximum flexibility in creating a climate of co-operation with employers, while at the same time establishing a framework of enforcement by the High Court if need be?
§ Mr. KingMy hon Friend is absolutely right to make those points. It is essential for Northern Ireland that it is seen to he a place where there is fairness and equality of opportunity in employment. I believe that more and more fair-minded people in the Province recognise that.