HL Deb 16 February 1999 vol 597 cc73-4WA
Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will define the level of violence in Northern Ireland beyond which they would recognise a breach of the ceasefire agreement. [HL849]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)

The judgment for the Secretary of State to make, under Section 3(8) of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, is whether an organisation has not been established or is not maintaining a complete and unequivocal ceasefire. In reaching a judgment, she takes into account all the factors set out in Section 3(9) and such other factors as are in the circumstances relevant.