§ 11. Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde)If she will make a statement on progress on (a) the decommissioning of illegally held weapons and (b) the creation of a Northern Ireland Executive. [84449]
§ The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Marjorie Mowlam)Progress is being made. It is slow and difficult. Sometimes it is four steps forward and three back, but people are still talking and not walking and that is what counts. Everyone is trying towards implementing the agreement in full.
§ Dr. GodmanWill my right hon. Friend confirm that the Good Friday agreement requires the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons by May 2000 and that if the agreement is to work, progress must be made on all its aspects? Does she further agree that the people of Northern Ireland must be casting an envious eye on Cardiff and Edinburgh, where the Assembly and the Parliament are gathering momentum?
§ Marjorie MowlamYes and yes.