Mr. A. Cecil Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the additional burden placed on the Royal Ulster Constabulary as a result of the Anglo-Irish agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottOne of the principal objects of the Anglo-Irish agreement is to bring about a reduction in violence in Northern Ireland through increased co-operation between the security forces of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This in time will reduce the very heavy demands made on the RUC. Unfortunately, progress towards this goal has been hampered by the outrageous behaviour of some opponents of the agreement. By seeking confrontations with the RUC, and attacking off-duty police men and women and their homes and families, they have made the force's task even more difficult and have caused the diversion of valuable police resources from the fight against terrorism.
§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now specify the benefits obtained from the Anglo-Irish agreement in the campaign against terrorism.