§ Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on her recent visit to Northern Ireland; and, in particular, whether she formed any conclusions as 86W a result of her visit regarding effective briefing for the media on United Kingdom security policy and local prison régimes.
§ The Prime MinisterDuring my visit to Northern Ireland I emphasised the Government's concern for the well-being of all the people of the Province. I welcomed the opportunity of meeting many of the people involved in constructive work in the community and of talking to members of the security forces. We certainly must not be complacent about our efforts to explain our position, but in general I am satisfied with the extensive briefing of the media at home and abroad carried out by my own staff, by the Northern Ireland Office and by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on security policy and local prison regimes. We shall maintain these efforts. I believe that the principles which the Government are upholding are widely understood and supported throughout the free world.