§ 1. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider approaching the major political parties of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to discuss the developing situation in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. PriorI am always ready to discuss developments in Northern Ireland with representatives of the constitutional parties in the United Kingdom. I am also happy to explain Government policy to representatives of such parties from the Republic of Ireland and to hear their views. But I must emphasise that the constitutional future of Northern Ireland is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland, and the Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom.