§ 10. Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the representations that he received following the Anglo-Irish joint declaration.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe significance of the current declaration made on 15 December by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach has been recognised in the reactions to it from around the world. Most of those share the hope that the declaration can and will provide the basis for a lasting peace in Ireland. I welcome the support for the declaration given in the House. In addition, my right hon. Friend and I continue to receive a great number of letters on the subject from members of the public.
§ Mr. HunterIn his recent dialogue with interested parties, has my right hon. and learned Friend commented, or been asked to comment, on the view expressed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland on 10 January that the consent of the majority applies only to the constitutional issue and not to what he called "all other political forms"? Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree with that point of view?
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe agreement speaks for itself. An overall agreement is the objective of the talks process of which the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram), has spoken this afternoon. The reality is that, to be lasting and durable, new political structures need to secure widespread acceptance and the allegiance of both communities and that is why the talks process seeks agreement across all three strands.