Mr James Molyneaux: It is true that from time to time the views of the Labour party's Front-Bench spokesmen on Northern Ireland matters do not find a ready response from the Ulster Unionist party or the Democratic Unionist party. I was paying compliments to those on the Opposition Front Bench, but I hope that my comments will not damage their electoral prospects.
Mr James Molyneaux: I express my appreciation of the patience displayed by the Minister of State in giving way so frequently to those who wished to intervene and providing clarification and some reassurances—more of which will be forthcoming, I am sure, when he replies to the debate. I express appreciation also for the presence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. We know of his interest in the...
Mr James Molyneaux: Yes, and that matter was raised on 12 December during Northern Ireland Questions, when the Secretary of State and I informed the House that we were aware of an accumulation of arms and munitions as far south as Limerick, for shipment to Belfast. Unfortunately, that occurred in the pre-Christmas period, with disastrous effects. I fervently hope that the merger for which the Bill provides is...
Mr James Molyneaux: I do not dispute that, but a distinction must be made in respect of the Catholics—all honour to them—from southern Ireland or this island, who do not live in the frontier zones, where they would be completely isolated, and where it would be impossible to protect them effectively. On another personal note, I remember having tea with the late Sir Norman Strong, whose son Jim served in the...
Mr James Molyneaux: I thought that the Minister and I had it in common that we were talking mainly about the part-time element, because, as I understand it, we were talking about the reserve force and all that goes with it. The enlistment period for the full-timers would be broadly in line with that in the Regular Army. The Minister may like to come back to that point.
Mr James Molyneaux: I am grateful to the Minister. In short, the amalgamation must not be allowed to reduce the undoubted worth of the existing Ulster Defence Regiment as a locally recruited force operating in what one might call its soldiers' home areas. I trust that all these points will be taken up and adopted when we come to drafting the regulations. I trust that the House will join me in expressing...
Mr James Molyneaux: Will the Minister of State assure the House that in no sense is there a hidden agenda, particularly with regard to the future of the part-time element of the Ulster Defence Regiment? Will he also assure us that nothing will be done to reduce the strength or to limit the role of that part-time element?
Mr James Molyneaux: Will the Minister, therefore, remove any possible suspicions that a plot is afoot by launching a campaign to encourage recruitment into the part-time element of the Ulster Defence Regiment?
Mr James Molyneaux: I am sorry for intervening again, but, as the Minister rightly said, the Bill refers to the Reserve Forces Act 1980, section 139 of which governs membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment; it also confers on members of the UDR the right to resign at one month's notice. Will that continue? If no provision for it to be continued is made in Committee, can that be done in regulations? When the...
Mr James Molyneaux: Can the Secretary of State tell the House whether the Cabinet Committee that supervised and eventually approved the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement asked the chiefs of staff and the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to counter the inevitable violence that was inspired by the then Prime Minister, when she used those awful words at Hillsborough, on the signing of the agreement: I...
Mr James Molyneaux: May I associate my right hon. and hon. Friends with the tribute paid by the Prime Minister to Her Majesty the Queen, and may I join in the other congratulations already expressed?
Mr James Molyneaux: Does the Secretary of State remember that in Northern Ireland Question Time on 12 December he and I shared a concern about the build-up of munitions and arms as far south as Limerick for trans-shipment to Northern Ireland, as unfortunately happened? Does he feel that he might try to persuade Mr. Collins at their next meeting to devote a little more time to the containment of that particular...
Mr James Molyneaux: Does the Minister agree that we are long past the stage of apportioning blame? People may have been misled, but they may not have been. Should not we now bend our efforts to supporting the proposal that the Minister mentioned and to finding some way of compensating those who have lost dearly?
Mr James Molyneaux: William of Orange.
Mr James Molyneaux: Madam Deputy Speaker—[Interruption.]
Mr James Molyneaux: I am glad to follow the right hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Mr. Heath), even if he, too, is below the Gangway. I share his view of the importance of co-operation with the rest of Europe. He and I are therefore in line with the Prime Minister, who yesterday said: our responsibility … must also be to all the other European countries which are now returning to democracy for the first...
Mr James Molyneaux: As the Secretary of State rightly said, it is pretty well impossible to protect people in a particular occupation. With a view to improving the security of all occupations, does the Secretary of State agree that there is an urgent need to aim for a common sentencing policy throughout the United Kingdom? Given the reluctance of some courts to convict on forensic evidence and the fact that...
Mr James Molyneaux: I am delighted to follow the hon. Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr). In particular, we appreciate his comments on the improved road network throughout the United Kingdom that has been brought about during the last 10 years. We on this Bench have good cause for feeling grateful to him for his support in times past in our modest request that communications between the constituent parts of...
Mr James Molyneaux: The Secretary of State will have noticed that a reduction of some 19 per cent. nationally in the strength of the Territorial Army has been proposed. Is he aware that the proposed Northern Ireland reduction is 40 per cent? In view of his deep understanding of the problems of Northern Ireland, will he undertake to have another look at that figure?
Mr James Molyneaux: As one who has been saddened by the neglected appearance of the entire east of London, may I be assured that there will be concerted action between the various Departments? I am thinking particularly of the role to be played by the Secretary of State for the Environment.