§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters the Government and Her Majesty's representatives overseas received in 1979 alleging violations of human rights in Northern Ireland; and what is the usual form of reply.
§ Mr. Humphrey Atkins[pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1980, c. 714]: My office dealt with approximately 40 letters of various kinds containing such allegations in 1979. The number of letters received at British Embassies and other overseas missions could only be established at disproportionate cost; I understand that the British Embassy in Washington dealt with about 100. The form of reply varies according to the length and subject matter of the original letter; most however set out the measures which the Government have taken to protect human rights in Northern Ireland.