HL Deb 10 April 2002 vol 633 c104WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Belfast Agreement of 1998 contained the suggestion of an amnesty for all terrorists; and, if so, in which part it did so. [HL3289]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

At the Weston Park talks last summer both the British and Irish Governments accepted that there was an issue to be addressed with the completion of the early release scheme about supporters of organisations now on ceasefire against whom there are outstanding prosecutions, and in some cases extradition proceedings, for offences committed before 10 April 1998. Such people would, if convicted, stand to benefit from the early release scheme. The Government have undertaken to take steps to resolve the issue.