HC Deb 22 October 2001 vol 373 c16W
Lembit Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which Government Departments and agencies have been asked whether they hold any information relevant to the request for information from the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on 17 May 1974 established by the Irish Government; when he will provide information to the commission; and if he will make a statement; [7895]

(2) if his Department has responded to requests for information from the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement.[7949]

Dr. John Reid

The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.

I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Lembit Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has responded to requests for information from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement.[7950]

Dr. John Reid

The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.

I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.