DATE 3/5/94
COL.
540-542
VOL.
59
Mr. Kinnock:[
In the light of the publication of the new Ireland forum report, we should like a full day's debate in Government time as soon as possible. The report represents a unique initiative in recent Irish history and deserves the thorough attention of the House, as the right hon. Gentleman will agree.
Mr. Biffen:
The right hon. Gentleman said that he wishes to have a debate in Goverment time on the measured and significant report of the new Ireland forum, which I am sure will be of great interest to the House. He also wished to have a debate on the remarkable success story of British" Airways, as revealed by its latest accounts. I cannot guarantee that Government time will be available in the near future for such debates, but we can consider the matter through the usual channels.
Mr. Ivor Stanbrook (Orpington): If my right hon. Friend is disposed to give the House an opportunity to discuss the report of the new Ireland forum, will be ensure that the debate covers the more valuable reports on constitutional reform in Northern Ireland issued by the Unionist parties of Northern Ireland-who are, after all, British citizens?
Mr. Biffen: I am very happy to join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to those reports. We are some way away from any debate and as we approach that point no doubt we can think more productively about the terms of the debate.
Mr. Stephen Ross (Isle of Wight): Although we support the request for a debate on the report of the new Ireland forum, and also the recent proposals of the Unionists for devolution in Northern Ireland and the EC report, which is a very good one, it would be a good idea if these matters were debated in the House in the not-too- distant future.
Mr. Biffen: I take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. In particular, I note that he places the Unionist party report alongside that of the new Ireland forum.
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Mr. Nicholas Soames (Crawley): Now that my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has returned from his visit to Hong Kong, could time be found to debate the future of Hong Kong?
Mr. Biffen: I very much hope that there will be a debate in the week beginning 14 May.
Mr. Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough): In the light of that answer about a debate on Hong Kong, can the Leader of the House recommend that the same conditions of independence for Hong Kong will be accorded to the Falkland Islands?
Mr. Biffen: That relates to the content of the debate. I am mainly concerned with its timing.
Sir Frederic Bennett (Torbay): In view of the appallingly worsening position in Afghanistan, which not only has the largest refugee problem in the world but where more Afghans have been killed than the number of British casualties in the second world war, and since it is clear that the well-meant attempts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to bring about a settlement have, unfortunately, failed completely, if we cannot have a debate on what is easily the biggest tragedy in the world at present, could we have a statement soon from my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary about the policies that he will advocate in view of the failure of the United Nations to resolve this matter?
Mr. Biffen: I accept at once the importance of the topic raised by my hon. Friend and I shall certainly ensure that my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary is made aware of his anxiety that a statement should be made.