§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on security in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MasonThe security situation has continued to improve. In the first nine months of this year the number of deaths as a result of terrorist activity has been reduced by almost two-thirds, the number of shooting incidents by one-third, and the number of bomb explosions by more than one-half. However, attacks on members of the security forces have not abated, and incendiary attacks on commercial premises have increased. The security forces have intensified their drive to apprehend the perpetrators of violence and bring them before the courts.