Engagements

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 February 1995.

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Photo of Mr John Major Mr John Major , Huntingdon 12:00, 21 February 1995

I share with the hon. Gentleman the wish not to have a futile debate. The way to ensure a constructive debate is to come together and discuss the ideas that are about and that are on the table. Ideas have been produced at the request of the political parties. As it happens, I received the document in the hon. Gentleman's hands last evening, and I have read it this morning. I have no doubt that other documents will be produced. One has already been provided by the leader of the Democratic Unionist party. Further documents may be prepared.

What is necessary; what the obligation owed, I believe, to the people in Northern Ireland who want a permanent peace, is for all of us—the Government, the hon. Gentleman, other hon. Members and the people of Northern Ireland—to make sure that those matters are examined, discussed, considered, and decisions reached that will enable us to move forward into a permanent peace. That is what I wish to seek, and my mind is open to the right mechanism to ensure that we achieve it. But what I am determined is that we do seek to move forward to try and ensure that the chance that is in our hands—we may not be able to hold it—that the chance of peace that is in our hands should not slip away because we are not prepared to examine the matter, to talk about the matter, to consider the matter, and to reach the conclusions that the hon. Gentleman wishes to see reached.