§ 1. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to respond to the letter of 6 May of the hon. Member for Linlithgow about his proposals for resolving the constitutional dilemma of Northern Irish representation at Westminster, in consequence of the restoration of devolved powers to Stormont.
§ The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Sir Patrick Mayhew)I replied to the hon. Member on 19 May.
§ Mr. DalyellOn what basis does a Member of Parliament from Londonderry vote on the most delicate matters in relation to London and Linlithgow, but not Londonderry?
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe so-called West Lothian debate will engage us in our consideration of the matters that are being dealt with under strand 1 of the political talks. No doubt the question will be no more straightforward in 1992 than it has been in the past.
§ Mr. CanavanWould not it be a deplorable double standard, even by this Government's low standards, if they were to agree to resurrect the Stormont Parliament while refusing to set up a Scottish Parliament? How can an entire nation be deprived of a democratic right that is given to a mere six counties of another nation?
§ Sir Patrick MayhewFor the moment I shall do my best to look after the affairs of Northern Ireland. I understand what lies behind the hon. Gentleman's question, but it must be remembered that Scotland already has a far greater degree of devolved government than Northern Ireland currently enjoys. Also, experience suggests that it is usually unwise to draw general conclusions from the special circumstances of Northern Ireland.