§ 2.48 p.m.
§ Lord HARVINGTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will, in seeking to implement the terms of the ceasefire in Northern Ireland, have due regard to the possibility of a breakdown by safe-guarding the various access points of the central Belfast segments.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE (Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge)My Lords, in his Question the noble Lord, Lord Harvington, refers to the terms of the ceasefire in Northern Ireland. Her Majesty's Government have entered into no terms. Any response to a cessation of violence will depend on the general security situation, but we are very much aware of the danger to the segment areas if the ceasefire ends.
§ Lord HARVINGTONMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that through the good offices of the Ministry of Defence I was able to accept an invitation by the Royal Artillery who are guarding the three internal segments of Belfast, and was able to see for myself how well they 808 are guarded in the sense that the barricades were extremely effective? If those barricades were dismantled too quickly, it would be difficult to get them erected again quickly and untold damage may occur through the premature dismantling of these constructions. Is the noble Lord further aware that I was able to see for myself the magnificent work which our soldiers are doing for some 14 or 15 hours a day? This is quite magnificent, and is a pattern for everyone.
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, I am fully aware of the point that the noble Lord has made, and nobody is more proud than my right honourable friend the Secretary of State of the performance of our soldiers in Northern Ireland. I repeat my answer to the noble Lord's supplementary question, which seemed to me to repeat his Question, that there is no intention prematurely to dismantle anything in Northern Ireland. We shall await events.
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, have the Government any figures of the number of terrorist offences committed in the Belfast segment area?
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, doubtless, and if the noble Lord wishes to put down a Question I will give the Answer.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, will Her Majesty's Government take an early opportunity of repudiating the proposal, which I read in the Press today, for community police?
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGEMy Lords, this is another Question, but the opportunity of repudiating it is irresistible.