23 NOVEMBER 1974, Page 4

Liberals and Ulster

From Lord Beaumont of Whitley

Sir: Mrs Quinn (November 9) takes Ine to task for making no criticism of the internment system in Northern Ireland, and the Liberal Party for not concerning itself with the Race Relations Act in that province. I do not defend the internment system and believe that there are other ways of dealing with the situation but I was not concerned to examine tbe, wholesituation in Northern Ireland or I would have taken up the whole issue of the paper. In the context of the riots however it is my firm conviction that, owing to the phased release °' detainees in the past few months there can be very few innocent people left la the Long Kesh, although I agree that even a few is too many. And it is rather hard to be asked vv,,11, the Liberal Party is not campaigning Ku a Race Relations Act in Northern Ireland when we were campaigning f01, Civil Rights long before the presell; troubles blew up and have continue . campaigning for them ever since in both Houses of Parliament. Tim Beau awl Liberal spokesman Northern Irelanu; House of Lords, 59 West Heath ROa°' London NW3