§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, following his reply to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) on 26 January, Official Report, c. 1044, concerning the attitude taken by the Government of the Irish Republic towards the present constitutional position of Northern Ireland, if he will list the range of measures that would enable the minority to exercise its identity and traditions in a completely acceptable way to the people of Northern Ireland and Great Britain, indicating why the present attitude of the Government of the Irish Republic prevents the United Kingdom Government from implementing those measures.
§ Mr. PriorThe Government believe that political development is most likely to be achieved in Northern Ireland by recognition that the establishment of a devolved administration commanding widespread acceptance throughout the community would best enable the minority to express its identity and traditions in public life and that Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom while the majority of its people so wish.