§ 13. Mr. Favellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with Northern Ireland political parties on the future of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe leaders of the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party declined my invitation of 27 May to the parties participating in the Northern Ireland Assembly to discuss its future. I met the Leader of the Alliance party on Monday to hear his views. I also saw yesterday the Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour party with some of his colleagues and discussed among other matters the prospects for devolved government. I shall consider the position of the present Assembly.