Security (Hansard, 1 July 1993)

§ 6. Mr. Luff
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation on Northern Ireland.

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
Since I answered a similar question on 22 April, there have been 10 deaths as a result of the security situation in Northern Ireland—eight civilians and two soldiers. The Government remain committed to the defeat of terrorism in Northern Ireland, whichever organisation perpetrates it, through the even-handed and energetic enforcement of the rule of law. For as long as terrorist violence continues, it will be met with a firm and resolute response.

§ Mr. Luff
I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer. I invite him to join me in paying tribute to the security forces, who daily must deal with that tragic situation. Does he feel that their task is made easier or more difficult by the kind of ideas that are being touted around by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara), in secret?

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
Of course I endorse the tribute that my hon. Friend paid to the security forces. The vast majority are very young men and women. We ask them to make discretionary decisions that carry very heavy sanctions if they get them wrong: if they get them wrong one way, they may be court-martialled; if they get them wrong another way, they may be prosecuted; and if they get them wrong another way, they may be dead. I warmly endorse what my hon. Friend said about the amazingly high standard of their performance.
We have rehearsed the second part of my hon. Friend's question fairly fully this afternoon. I would add only that anything that contributes to any uncertainty about whether the constitutional status of Northern Ireland will change without the consent of the majority of those who live there must make the task of the security forces harder.

§ Mr. William Ross
When the Secretary of State and the Minister of State visited Magherafelt and Coleraine in my constituency last week, they had an opportunity to see the results—[Interruption.]

§ Madam Speaker
Order. Will the House settle down? It is very difficult to hear the hon. Gentleman.

§ Mr. Ross
When they visited Magherafelt and Coleraine in my constituency last week, they had an opportunity to see at first hand the results of the IRA's managing to penetrate the security measures that have been taken. Were they both very much impressed, as I was, by the efforts that are being made by local people to repair and replace buildings?
Will the Secretary of State take a careful look at the cost of rebuilding, the question of betterment and all the other problems that revolve around the replacement, refurbishment and repair of damage done by terrorist bombs? We 1103 sometimes feel that good money is being thrown after bad to repair buildings that it would probably be better to knock down and rebuild.

§ Sir Patrick Mayhew
I warmly endorse what the hon. Gentleman said about the qualities of his constituents following those outrageous attacks. I recently visited Coleraine, where I met the hon. Gentleman, for the third time since the bomb in November. I know the scheme about which he is talking. I realise that it is very attractive and that it offers great potential for the town of Coleraine. The hon. Gentleman has already, very fairly, alluded to the importance of maintaining the distinction between repairing and compensation for damage, and betterment of property. It may be enough to say that I fully recognise the strength of feeling that he represented in his question this afternoon.