Northern Ireland

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 May 1972.

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Photo of Mr William Whitelaw Mr William Whitelaw , Penrith and The Border 12:00, 22 May 1972

In the first instance, I must tell the hon. and learned Gentleman that I do not think it is reasonable for him to suggest that I am "beginning to learn". I have known a good many of these facts for a great part of my life. Equally, I am not prepared to be provoked into over-reaction. Nor am I prepared to depart from the course which I believe is the only one for sensible peace in Northern Ireland. It is, on the one hand, to act ruthlessly against terrorists, which I am determined to do, and at the same time to pursue a policy of reconciliation between two communities which have become polarised and divided over many years in the past.