§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the recommendations contained in the Opsahl report he has accepted; if it is his intention to issue a formal response to the report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe Government recognise the value of the submissions made to the commission by a large number of individuals and organisations. The recommendations made by the commission are wide ranging and are addressed to various groups and bodies, not just to the Government. Accordingly, we have no plans to make a formal response to the report. The commission's main political recommendation is based on the assumption that the talks process has failed. The Government do not accept this premise and remain firmly committed to the political talks process which we believe provides the best opportunity of achieving a widely acceptable political accommodation addressing all the relevant relationships.