§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the action of a United States congressional committee in tying aid to the International Fund for Ireland to implementation of the MacBride principles; and what representations he has made to the United States Government on the subject. [26638]
§ Mr. AncramIt is for the US authorities to decide whether, and under which conditions, they wish to contribute to the International Fund for Ireland. Members of the Administration and of Congress are aware of our view that the key to eliminating employment imbalances in Northern Ireland is to support the far-reaching fair employment legislation already in place with new job-creating investment. In this context, the conference on trade and investment convened by President Clinton in Washington last month was a very considerable success.