January 10 1975
ULSTER Television last night screened the first in an important new series of programmes entitled “Ulster: The Economic Case”.
Three more programmes bearing the same title will be broadcast on coming Thursdays at 10:30pm and together they will examine in detail options open to Northern Ireland for the future.
Last night’s programme considered the economic arguments concerning total integration with Britian and the next two programmes will deal with independence and an all-Ireland solution.
The programmes bring together leading economists and politicians with Sir Frederick Catherwood, chairman of the Institute of British Management, in the chair.
The men responsible for presenting the facts are Professor Norman Gibson, Professor of Economics at the New University; Professor John A Bristow, Professor of Economics at Trinity College, Dublin and Mr John Simpson, a senior Lecturer in Economics at Queen’s University.
Each of the situations presented will be considered by three politicians, Mr John Hume, Deputy Leader of the SDLP, Mr Peter McLachlan, a Unionist Party of Northern Ireland Assemblyman and Mr John Taylor, an Official Unionist Party Assemblyman.
The fourth programme will provide a summary of the first three and other possibilities, including permutations of the three main arguments. The programmes are introduced by UTV political correspondent Derek Murray and produced by John Brian Waddell.
Ulster Television regards the series as a significant in-depth contribution to the debate in which most of the North’s population will be engaged before, during and after the Convention election, which is expected to be held in March.
Although some critics believe that the series will not attract vast audiences, the station has been applauded for elevating debate on crucial issues above the level of political wrangling.
In a format that may be repeated as a border poll draws closer, UTV provided a platform to debate substantial day-to-day issues beyond those of religion and identity, such as economics.
***
Rees Accused of Still Ordering Detention
Father Denis Faul of Dungannon last night challenged reports that the Secretary of State Mr Merlyn Rees, has stopped signing detention orders.
Father Faul claimed that two Co Derry men – Laurence Mulholland, Tamlaghtduff, Bellaghy, and Brendan Scullion, Ballynew, Portglenone – were served with Detention Orders on Tuesday. They had been held under Interim Custody Orders since December 21.
“It can therefore be seen that Mr Rees is still interning people”, he said.
Despite claims to the contrary, Father Denis Faul claimed the British government was still interning people despite an IRA ceasefire.
