§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the hon. Member for Basildon of 25 June, Official Report, c. 195, if he will give details of the steps taken by Her Majesty's ambassador to the United States of America and his staff to explain the Northern Ireland White Paper policy to the United States Government and others; towards whom, apart from the United States Government, these steps were directed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdOne of the principal tasks of Her Majesty's ambassador and his staff in Washington is to ensure that the policies of Her Majesty's Government, including their policy in relation to Northern Ireland, are properly understood in the United States. Their efforts are directed not only towards the United States Government but towards Members of Congress, the media, and other important sections of American opinion.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to the reply by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the hon. Member for Basildon of 25 June, Official Report, c. 196, if he will give details of the steps taken by United Kingdom diplomatic posts to ensure that the policy set out in the White Paper "Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution" is understood in appropriate countries; and if he will make a statement;
(2) pursuant to the reply by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the hon. Member for Basildon of 25 June, Official Report, c. 196, if he will set out in the Official Report those countries in which United Kingdom diplomatic posts have taken steps to explain the policy of 377W the White Paper "Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution", together with the response of the Governments concerned.
§ Mr. HurdGuidance on the White Paper was sent to 153 selected diplomatic service posts which were instructed to take every opportunity to ensure that the policy set out in that document was properly understood. Their action will have been tailored to the circumstances of each post.