§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further discussions he has had with political leaders in Northern Ireland about the future government of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MasonAt their request I met representatives of the Social Democratic and Labour Party on 31st January and of the Official Unionist Party on 1st February.
At both these meetings I emphasised that the Government's aim was to see a form of devolved government established in Northern Ireland, and that the first requirement for progress towards this objective must be for the parties to demonstrate a willingness to seek agreement on a system of government that could be supported by both sides of the community.