§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the cost of compensation for bomb damage in Northern Ireland that is directly attributable to cross border activity by the Irish Republican Army; and whether consideration has been given 304W to claiming reimbursement for this from the Government of the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. KershawIf an estimate is possible, it would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: but it is frequently difficult to attribute responsibility in respect of particular incidents involving bomb damage. Furthermore, the liability of a Government for the acts of terrorists is not a straightforward matter. This is, however, an issue which Her Majesty's Government keep under review.