§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out the principal achievements of Her Majesty's Government within his Department's responsibilities since May 1979.
§ Mr. PriorThe elimination of terrorist violence and public disorder in Northern Ireland has been one of the Government's principal objectives since coming to office and there has been substantial progress in recent years in deterring violence, bringing terrorists to justice and reducing the number of street disturbances. The Government have provided for increases in the strength and resources of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
The Northern Ireland Act 1982 enables the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland to exercise greater influence over the affairs of the Province and provides a framework within which powers can be devolved to the Northern Ireland assembly on a basis acceptable to both sides of the community. Pending devolution of powers, the Northern Ireland assembly, 440W which was elected in October 1982, and its committees, scrutinise, and report on, the operation of direct rule. The assembly is actively engaged in this task.
The aim of the Government's economic strategy in Northern Ireland has been to create conditions conducive to increasing output and jobs. Public expenditure, per capita, overall continues to be substantially higher than for comparable programmes in Great Britain. Investment incentives remain the most generous in the United Kingdom; the Industrial Development Board has been established: electricity tariffs have been subsidised so that they do not exceed the highest in England and Wales; enterprise zones have been created in Belfast and Londonderry; a youth training programme was introduced a year ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom; and special financial aid has been provided for agriculture.