HC Deb 28 April 1994 vol 242 cc293-4W
16. Sir Thomas Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement about the progress of the inter-party talks.

20. Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the leaders of Northern Ireland's political parties; and if he will make a statement on progress in the talks.

Mr. Ancram

I am continuing bilateral discussions with three of the four Northern Ireland parties on the same basis as previously and the two Governments continue to work intensively on a framework to carry the process forward.

25. Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with political leaders from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland about the peace process.

Sir Patrick Mayhew

My hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) and I meet political leaders from Northern Ireland regularly to discuss a range of matters including political development and the prospects for a permanent end to violence.

I met the Irish Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Spring, at a meeting of the intergovernmental conference in Belfast this Monday.

26. Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on meetings which have been held with the political parties in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government regarding a constitutional settlement for Northern Ireland.

Sir Patrick Mayhew

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Glasgow, Rutherglen (Mr. McAvoy) earlier today.

Mr. McAvoy

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards securing a resumption of the inter-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland; and what discussions he has had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

Sir Patrick Mayhew

My hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) is continuing his bilateral discussions with, at present, three of the four Northern Ireland parties. The two Governments continue to work extensively on a framework to carry the process forward.