§ 22. Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in securing acceptance in the Province of the Anglo-Irish agreement.
§ Mr. Tom KingMy ministerial colleagues and I have taken and will continue to take every opportunity to explain the true nature and advantages of the agreement for all sections of the community in Northern Ireland.
§ 26. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider calling a conference on the implementation of the Anglo-Irish agreement, involving the British Governmentt, the Irish Government and the relevant political parties of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Tom KingI have no such plans. I believe that the way forward now is for the elected representatives of the constitutional political parties to discuss their concerns with the United Kingdom Government. I hope the Unionist leaders, in particular, will agree to resume our dialogue.
§ 5. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to try to ensure that the terms of the Anglo-Irish agreement are more fully understood in the Province.
§ Mr. Tom KingMy ministerial colleagues and I have taken and will continue to take every opportunity to explain the true nature and advantages of the Agreement for all sections of the community in Northern Ireland.
§ 23. Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he expects to arrange discussions with Unionist politicians and others about the implementation of the Anglo-Irish agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom KingMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I want discussions to be renewed with Unionist politicians about a range of matters affecting Northern Ireland. We hope that it will be possible shortly to start exploratory talks.