Peace Process (Hansard, 13 June 1996)

13. Mr. Robert Ainsworth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in the peace process. [30935]

§ 15. Mr. Winnick
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest position over political developments in Northern Ireland. [30937]

§ 23. Mr. Trimble
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the all-party talks process at Stormont. [30947]

§ 25. Mr. Soley
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland. [30950]

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
All-party negotiations began on Monday 10 June in plenary session involving negotiating teams from those parties invited to participate together with the British and Irish Governments.
The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach opened the proceedings. Following a round of intensive bilateral discussions on 10 and 11 June, Senator Mitchell assumed the chair of the opening plenary session. General de Chastelain and Mr. Holkeri were appointed as chairman of strand 2 and the business committee, and alternate chairman respectively. All the delegations present committed themselves to the Mitchell principles of democracy and non-violence and the Democratic Unionist party and Mr. McCartney also did so during later discussions. The parties are now conferring on various important procedural issues.