§ 29. Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has held on the future constitutional position of Northern Ireland with representatives of(a) the Irish or (b) the United States Government.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI met the Irish Foreign Minister, Mr. Spring, on 22 January and, in a formal intergovernmental conference, on 3 February. On both occasions constitutional issues were among the subjects we discussed. I have had no discussions with representatives of the United States Government on the future constitutional position of Northern Ireland.
The United Kingdom Government's position is widely understood: the present status of Northern Ireland as a part of the United Kingdom will not change without the consent of a majority of the people who live there.