HC Deb 08 April 1971 vol 815 cc321-2W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consultations he has had with Northern Ireland Ministers; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Maudling

Together with my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and Secretary of State for Defence, I had discussions with the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland on 1st April, 1971. I am arranging for a copy of the communiqué issued after those talks to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the communiqué: The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by the Home Secretary, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence, discussed the situation in Northern Ireland today with the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Brian Faulkner. The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Michael Carver, and the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland, Lieutenant-General Tuzo, were also present. The meeting afforded an opportunity for a full exchange of views on all topics of mutual concern to the two Governments, particularly the effective and impartial enforcement of law and order and the intensification of the efforts to combat I.R.A. terrorism. It was accepted on both sides that the forces now available had the capability, within the ambit of agreed policy, to take all measures which would contribute to the ultimate objective of restoring peace and stability. The Prime Ministers also reviewed progress in the social and economic fields and reaffirmed their determination to persevere with policies designed to improve the conditions of life for the whole of the community of Northern Ireland. For this purpose they agreed to consider how best to carry out a joint reappraisal of the prospects for economic and social development in Northern Ireland in the light of the need to restore the confidence essential to industrial investment. They also undertook to consider the arrangements for keeping the Government of Northern Ireland closely in touch with the negotiations for the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Communities.