§ 2. Mr. TrimbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the effect of the MacBride principles on employment in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe comprehensive Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 provides a vigorous and effective framework for achieving fair employment. The MacBride principles are unnecessary and inadequate as they do not advocate investment, without which the achievements of fair employment would be more difficult. It is impossible to quantify the negative effect of the MacBride campaign.
§ Mr. TrimbleI agree with all the criticisms that the Minister made of the MacBride principles, but it would be helpful if he got in touch with all the public authorities in the United States that foolishly adopt those principles and pointed out that in Northern Ireland more than 60 per cent. of employees are Protestant, yet according to aggregate employment in American firms to which the MacBride principles apply, only 55 per cent. of employees are Protestants, showing a significant imbalance.
Will the Minister also point out that the firm with the worst employment record is the American firm, United Technologies, in the constituency of the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume), where out of 737 employees, fewer than 10 are Protestant. Will the Minister point out to the public authorities in the United States that if they are to take action to achieve fair employment, they could begin on those terms?
§ Mr. AtkinsI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his tacit support. I suspect that the proverb of mote and beam has a part to play here. My task and that of all Northern Irish Members is to ensure that any state or city of the United States that has companies that we wish to encourage to invest in Northern Ireland is persuaded by us, by the House and by our ambassador and his staff in the United States that the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act is one of the most rigorous of its type anywhere in the world. All that MacBride has done is to make life difficult for American companies that wish to invest in Northern Ireland, knowing as they do that it is such a fine place with such a fine work force.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonWill my hon. Friend make the strongest representations to the Clinton Administration to remove the outdated MacBride principles? Will he assure them that the best way to help the Province is to strengthen its economy by investment and by increasing employment?
§ Mr. AtkinsMy hon. Friend puts her finger on the matter succinctly. It is true that President Clinton, as a candidate and as President soon after his election, made it clear that he supported MacBride. However, I know that the good work being done by our ambasssador and visits such as those carried out by Northern Ireland Members have made the position on MacBride and our Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act much clearer to representatives of the United States Administration. Their support in these matters is to be welcomed.
§ Dr. HendronWill the Minister accept that it is the rhetoric of MacBride rather than the principles which could lead to disinvestment in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. AtkinsIndeed. The hon. Gentleman, who played such a significant part, along with his colleague in this context—the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr.Walker) —on their recent trip, again puts his finger on the problem. It is the campaign and the people asssociated with it rather than the substance which is causing the problem. Anything that any hon. Member can do when visiting the United States will be much appreciated by everyone in Northern Ireland.