On This Day / September 24, 1971

Summary: On This Day – 24th September 1971, pressure grew for a new system of government as Gerry Fitt signalled the SDLP’s willingness to negotiate if a satisfactory solution to internment could be found. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.

Faulkner Under Pressure | On This Day – 24th September 1971

THERE was new hope among many Conservatives as well as Labour MPs at Westminster last night that a solution can be found to the continuing NI crisis.

The answer is likely to centre on the creation of a new system of government which would end fifty years of Unionist monopoly in the Six Counties.

Mr John Hume, who was among the SDLP MPs present in the Public Gallery for the debate said that they were heartened by the growing support among Labour MPs for their stand on the ending of internment as a precondition for any talks about a solution.

A feeling of optimism stemmed from the exchange on the floor of the House between Mr Gerry Fitt, SDLP leader and the former Home Secretary, Mr James Callaghan.

As the emergency debate moved into its second day, Mr Callaghan put the question directly to Mr Fitt:

‘Supposing there was a solution for the problem of internment, would the SDLP be willing to participate in a Nl government that would obviously include Unionists in order to bring Nl and its people back from the edge of civil war?’

A crowded House listened with rapt attention as Mr Fitt replied: ‘If there was a satisfactory solution to internment, the SDLP being the largest Opposition party, in company with our members who have withdrawn from the Stormont parliament, will be willing and anxious to enter into negotiations to bring about a satisfactory solution.’

The exchange angered Unionist MPs with Mr Stratton Mills describing it as ‘a spontaneous charade’.

But from the Conservative side of the House, Mr Fitt’s contribution was warmly welcomed. Mr Norman St John Stevas said it was the most vital contribution in the whole debate.

Two Die in Belfast House Explosion

A SEVENTEEN year old youth and a girl aged eighteen died last night in an explosion which wrecked the interior of a house in the Lower Falls.

The identity of the victims was established later by police but the names are being withheld. It was suggested by residents that the couple had only moved into the house recently.

‘I’ll Meet IRA’ says Protestant Cleric

A FORMER Church of Ireland rector has offered to meet members or sympathisers of the IRA for confidential talks on the situation in the Six Counties.

He is Canon Henry Lamb, incumbent of the united parishes of Lisnadill and Kildarton, outside Armagh. Canon Lamb is a pacifist.

(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: WHILE the crisis triggered by internment deepened with the opening of a new camp at Long Kesh, the outlines of a possible settlement based a new cross community administration in the north were already emerging.)

On This Day – 24th September 1971

Further Reading on Irish History:

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