§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the results of his Department, after 13 months of the present Government, in achieving the policy programme which he set it on assuming office.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsThe principal elements in my policy programme, and the progress made towards achieving their ends, may be summarised as follows :
Political Development
Her Majesty's Government's objective is to transfer to locally elected representatives substantial powers of government that are at present exercised at Westminster, on terms which would be acceptable to both parts of the Northern Ireland community. Following the publication in November 1979 of a working paper (Cmnd. 7763) setting out certain principles to be observed, I convened a conference on the government of Northern Ireland which took place at Stormont between January and March 1980 and was attended by three of the four main Northern Ireland political parties. Since its adjournment the Government have been preparing proposals for further public discussion which they intend to publish shortly.
Law and Order
The Government have pursued vigorously the twin objectives of eliminating terrorism and extending the pattern of normal policing throughout the whole of 177W the Province. A security coordinator and a small planning staff have been appointed to assist in this aim. A total of 686 persons have been charged with terrorist offences and 813 convicted of such offences during the period.
Economic strategy
The object, in Northern Ireland as in the United Kingdom generally, is to stimulate growth by restoring incentives, reducing the rate of inflation and setting public expenditure at levels which the nation can afford. During the last year there have been reductions in employment in some industrial sectors which are of special importance to Northern Ireland including textiles and shipbuilding. On the other hand, there have been welcome announcements of new industrial developments including investment from overseas. In the public sector expenditure per head in Northern Ireland continues to be substantially greater than in the rest of the United Kingdom in recognition of the special conditions ruling there including the much higher level of unemployment.