§ 3.49 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND (LORD WINDLESHAM)My Lords, I think it would be convenient if I were now to read the Statement made by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in another place. Mr. Whitelaw's Statement reads as follows:
"With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a Statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
"At the start I should like to inform the House of the result of the further investigations made into the incident at Kelly's Bar since the Statement which my honourable friend the Minister of State made to the House on Monday.
"All the indications are that the bomb exploded prematurely whilst those intending to use it for a bomb attack elsewhere were either inside the bar or were returning to their vehicle from the bar.
"The facts do not support the theory that the bomb was planted by Protestant extremists.
"The action taken by the Army to restore order after the incident and the subsequent cross-fire between the communities was extremely well carried out by the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment. This locality has been quiet since the weekend. The action taken has shown the determination of the Government and the security forces to act firmly and effectively.
"Since that incident there have been further terrorist actions in Belfast and Londonderry which suggest that the I.R.A. are now desperately trying to provoke a Protestant reaction. The majority of the population of both communities are showing commendable restraint in all the circumstances. It must be said that they would be playing the terrorists' game if they allowed themselves to be provoked. But so long as they exercise restraint they are entitled to the fullest possible protection by the security forces, and I will see that they get it.
"Equally, the Government and the security forces are entitled in their 1452 difficult task to the support and the restraint of all responsible people. The initiative taken by the Government a few weeks ago represents, in their view, the only chance of bringing communal strife to an end and affording a sound basis for the twin policy of eradicating terrorism and the promotion of a peaceful settlement. It is understandable that those who disagreed with the initiative should continue to criticise it, but it is neither reasonable nor responsible for the critics to claim that the legacy of years of communal mistrust and division should be put right in a few weeks. Finally I can assure the House and the whole community in Northern Ireland that the Government will be completely resolute in their determination to end terrorism through the use of the security forces, but they will not be panicked or pushed into over-reaction which could well destroy the chances of communal peace."
My Lords, that ends my right honour able friend's Statement.
§ 3.52 p.m.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, we are much obliged to the noble Lord for repeating the Statement. I am sure that the sentiments it expresses command general support in the House. I agree that it is not reasonable to expect that the new policy, which is in itself not so much a policy as getting ourselves into a posture to carry through the right policies, will solve the problems. We particularly welcome the Government's determination not to be pushed into over-reaction. Tempting and strongly provocative actions are being taken in order to drive the Government into this over-reaction. Once again I have no doubt that our Services, who have such a beastly task, are showing the high standard of self-restraint which we expect from them.
My noble friend Lord Beswick in an earlier debate asked what the Government were going to do with a view to getting messages across. I hope that this sort of view of the Government, properly made in Parliament, will also be put over by using every type of medium to get it across. Secondly, may I ask the noble Lord whether this Statement is part of a policy which has been worked out by the Government for keeping Parliament more regularly informed on Northern 1453 Ireland affairs because Stormont no longer exists? We are due, I hope soon, to have some talks to find out how Parliament will continue to be kept informed. The noble Earl the Leader of the House has this in mind. I do not know whether he would care to comment. I understand that in another place there may he proposals for regular Statements of this kind; but I have no criticisms to make.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, we very much appreciate the way that the noble Lord and the Government are keeping the House informed of the events in Northern Ireland. I, too, was going to ask what machinery exists for getting the widest possible publicity in Northern Ireland for this kind of Statement, and whether the noble Lord can tell the House anything about the date of the appointment of the broadly based Advisory Commission which we understand may be set up.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, I should like to thank both noble Lords for their indication of general support. My right honourable friend shares entirely the sentiments they have expressed about the need for the closest possible communication, both through mass media and individual meetings and contacts with representative groups. We arc engaged in a comprehensive programme of meetings at Stormont Castle at the moment. It is my right honourable friend's intention to try to keep Parliament fully informed. He was in Northern Ireland on Monday and asked one of the Ministers of State in another place to make a Statement on his behalf and to say that he would be making a fuller Statement himself on Thursday. If I can repeat his Statements at any time convenient for your Lordships I will try and do so. If I am not here myself, which I am afraid will be the case on some occasions, my noble friend the Minister of State at the Home Office will be glad to help the House in any way that he can. As to the scrutiny of Northern Ireland Orders-in-Council, I understand that discussions are beginning through the usual channels and I hope that my noble friend the Leader of the House, after discussions with representatives of the Parties opposite, may be able to devise some way in which the House can consider Orders-in-Council.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, would my noble friend convey to the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland the very profound regard which I believe everyone in this country has for the splendid way in which they are carrying out their extremely difficult task?
LORD WINDLESFIAMMy Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that sentiment which I am sure is shared by everyone in this House. I will ensure that it is passed on to the G.O.C. I have seen for myself in the past few weeks how effectively and how impartially the Armed Forces are carrying out their responsibilities. The courage and restraint with which they do so is something which we have come to expect but which we should never cease to admire.