§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the purpose of a document concerning political and security issues which caused some parties to leave the Northern Ireland multi-party talks on 19 December 2002; who was responsible for preparing it; whether it indicated that the IRA was still re-arming, recruiting and targeting; and what were the circumstances surrounding its supply to a member of the media. [HL951]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)I understand the document concerned to have been an internal Irish Government briefing paper. It has not been copied to Her Majesty's Government. The content of the document, its preparation and the circumstances of its becoming public are not the responsibility of the Government.