HL Deb 03 May 1989 vol 507 cc144-6

2.48 p.m.

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are considering the establishment within Northern Ireland of a standing advisory commission on the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Ofice (Lord Lyell)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no plans at present for the establishment of such a body. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has however made clear on numerous occasions that he is always willing to receive the views of the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland and others on the activities of the intergovernmental conference under the Anglo-Irish Agreement, and to keep them informed of its deliberations.

Lord Hylton

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that this proposal does not come from me but was originally made by Mr. David Bleakley, a former Minister for community relations in Northern Ireland? Does he accept that if this is not precisely the right way to proceed, then at least economic and social questions need to be discussed more fully than they are at present? Will the Government therefore consider expanding the role of the Northern Ireland little Neddy?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I was not aware of the points raised in the noble Lord's first supplementary question, but my right honourable friend sees no need at present for the establishment of any formal arrangements for the purpose described. However, I certainly hope that noble Lords will accept that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State would be willing to consider any proposals on this aspect of the Anglo-Irish Agreement which might be put forward, or any other proposals which command widespread support. That is the important factor.

Lord Monson

My Lords, has the Minister or the Government given any consideration to the desirability of establishing a standing advisory commission south of the border, given that the position of the dwindling minority in the Republic is not entirely satisfactory in all respects?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I am tempted to think that that is another Question. The reports in your Lordships' House may well be read elsewhere, but I cannot say.

Lord Prys-Davies

My Lords, do the Government see a need for the operation of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to be open to greater public scrutiny, subject always to the overriding consideration of the security of the Province? Is there any good reason why the Government should not wish to be associated with such a helpful and constructive idea?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the noble Lord's point is somewhat covered by the matter that I stressed to the noble Lord, Lord Hylton. My right honourable friend is open to suggestions as to whether any more information could be given on the lines advanced by the noble Lord, Lord Prys-Davies. The door to my right honourable friend is open but we see no need for any more formal discussion beyond the existing arrangements, which seem to work reasonably for the conference as well as for the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Lord Prys-Davies

My Lords, does that mean that interested parties would be encouraged to submit proposals to the Anglo-Irish Conference?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I do not know to which parties the noble Lord refers. However, perhaps I may stress again that my right honourable friend will consider proposals which command widespread support among the parties in Northern Ireland. If proposals came forward which commanded widespread support among the constitutional parties in Northern Ireland, I am sure that my right honourable friend would try to accede to the wishes of the noble Lord.

Lord Blease

My Lords, does the Question imply that there are restrictions on approaches to the Secretary of State, and that formal approaches should be made only by appointed members of political parties? Alternatively, is the suggestion that avenues are open to anyone who has views to express on the social and economic issues pertaining to Northern Ireland?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, with regard to the Question on the Order Paper today, I know that my right honourable friend receives a very large number of questions and comments. However, the noble Lord is in a different position. He is a Member of your Lordships' House. I am sure that any approach that he might make would receive due attention. I assure the noble Lord that a great deal of attention is paid by my right honourable friend to comments on the matters set down in the Question, and on many other matters that occur in Northern Ireland.