April 9 1974
The Secretary of State, Mr Merlyn Rees, is believed to have gone a long way yesterday towards quelling unionist fears over the British government security package announced last week.
His reassurances came during a two-and-a-half hour meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Brian Faulkner, who reiterated his objections to various aspects of the package.
Mr Faulkner also talked to Mr Rees about the suggestion made after the Wilson-Cosgrave meeting on Friday that arrangements might be made to have the Sunningdale Agreement ratified towards the end of May.
It is understood that Mr Rees assured Mr Faulkner that there could be no question of a rundown in British army strength in Northern Ireland, and that there was no British commitment to ratify the Sunningdale Agreement in May or until all the parties have met their obligations.
This point of view is very much in line with the stand taken by Mr Faulkner, who is particularly anxious to see the Dublin government making fresh moves against terrorism.
As well as underlining his feelings on the Council of Ireland, Mr Faulkner also took the opportunity to tell Mr Rees of his misgivings over some of the government’s new intentions. In particular, he objected to legalising Sinn Féin and the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The meeting was later described as amicable and Mr Rees gave Mr Faulkner what a Stormont source said was “a patient and sympathetic hearing”.
UUWC Group ask Rees for Election
A deputation from the United Ulster Workers’ Council went to Stormont Castle yesterday to ask the Secretary of State, Mr Merlyn Rees, for an Assembly election next month.
In a statement after their meeting, the Northern Ireland Office said Mr Rees outlined the government’s position on the question of Assembly elections and said they would take place “in the fullness of time under the Constitution Act”.
Among other subjects discussed were alleged harassment by the security forces in Protestant areas and the position of a number of men in detention.