United States Government (Hansard, 18 February 1993)

§ 1. Mr. Bowis
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to meet representatives of the United States Government to discuss Northern Ireland.

§ The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Sir Patrick Mayhew)
I hope to meet members of the new United States Administration within the next few months.

§ Mr. Bowis
When my right hon. and learned Friend meets President Clinton's team, will he make it clear that if the President would like to send an envoy to this country as a fact finder and as a supporter of my right hon. and learned Friend's excellent peace work, it will be most welcome? However, if President Clinton sends somebody to this country to meddle, that would be as offensive as if this country sent a peace envoy to the Mexican border to look into the problems of the Hispanics.

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I am certain that the President of the United States would not want to send anybody to Northern Ireland for the latter purpose that my hon. Friend mentioned. It is important that the American Administration continue to give their full support to the talks process to which my hon. Friend kindly referred. I welcome every opportunity to explain our understanding of the true facts of Northern Ireland and the continuing efforts of the two Governments and of the main constitutional parties in Northern Ireland.

§ Mr. A. Cecil Walker
When the Secretary of State has an opportunity to talk to members of the United States Government, will he restate the investment potential of north Belfast— an area of special needs, and one which has a work force willing and able to adapt to special circumstances?

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
The hon. Gentleman takes a close interest in the material welfare of his constituency, and of course I will do as he wishes. I will not limit my endeavours to north Belfast because the truth is that the whole of Northern Ireland presents an admirable investment opportunity—especially to investors seeking a gateway to the single European market. I have found that overseas companies that have established themselves in Northern Ireland turn out to be the best ambassadors for Northern Ireland in that regard.

§ Sir James Kilfedder
Will the Secretary of State point out to the American Government that the people of Northern Ireland will welcome anyone from America, because we sent many people there in the 18th century to help create the United States of America? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman also remind the United States Government that Northern Ireland has received visitors ever since St. Patrick arrived there—first under duress, but later glad to return to Northern Ireland? St. Patrick was of course what the IRA term a Brit. We also had visitors from the nordic countries—Vikings—to my constituency 1,300 years ago, when they wiped out the marvellous university 461 of Bangor. Nevertheless, I hope that the Secretary of State will stress that we are always glad to welcome friendly visitors to our part of the United Kingdom.

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
At a recent public meeting in Northern Ireland I was introduced as St. Patrick, and I take much to heart the hon. Gentleman's remarks. When people come to Northern Ireland genuinely seeking to learn the true facts of the situation there, they go away wiser and happier. Anyone from the United States Administration who comes to Northern Ireland for that purpose will be very welcome, and I expect that they, too, will return to America happier and wiser people.

§ Mr. McNamara
It is interesting to note the change in the Secretary of State's attitude since the election in the United States and the result that emerged from it.
Will the Secretary of State confirm that successive American Administrations of both parties have played a constructive role, and adopted constructive attitudes towards Northern Ireland—not least in placing important orders with Northern Ireland firms and encouraging investment there? They have also been very helpful in regard to the extradition of persons accused of serious crime. They have stopped the illegal export of arms and cut down the activities of Noraid.
In those circumstances, should we not positively encourage continued interest in the affairs of Northern Ireland on the part of any American Administration, especially an Administration involved in the reconiciliation of peoples and the protection of human rights? As the Secretary of State has said, we would all welcome any member of the United States Administration who came here to help to improve the situation in that troubled Province.

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
I readily confirm that successive United States Administrations have been of great help. In particular, I acknowledge with gratitude the help in curtailing funds that reach terrorist organisations, notably the IRA, from American sources.
Recently, the Southern Legislative Conference visited Northern Ireland. Its members spent many days there, and I was particularly glad—although not surprised—when, on their return they said publicly that their purpose would be to correct in the American media the wholly false impression of Northern Ireland that is current in the United States.