§ 38. Mr. McAvoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on road closures between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
§ 50. Mr. GrocottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the closure of cross-border roads.
§ Mr. CopeThe Government recognise that many crossing points between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland serve a valuable social and economic purpose. We are also aware that some crossing points are particularly valuable to terrorists. No crossing point is closed unnecessarily. But the first duty of Government is to protect life. In accordance with that duty, we will continue to support action by the police, assisted where necessary by the Army, to close or reclose border crossings when we are satisfied that this is necessary to protect the lives of those, including many particularly vulnerable members of the community, who live or work in border areas.