HC Deb 27 January 1989 vol 145 cc775-6W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (I) what definition of terrorism he uses in formulating his policy in response to terrorism;

(2) what definition of the term international terrorism he uses in formulating his policy in response to terrorism.

Mr. Hurd

There is no internationally agreed definition of terrorism. For practical purposes we rest on the definition in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 and in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Bill currently before the House.

Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list those countries with which the United Kingdom has signed a formal agreement with regard to combating terrorism;

(2) if he will list those countries with which the United Kingdom has come to an informal understanding with regard to combating terrorism;

(3) if he will make a statement on the measures taken by the Government since 1979 to combat international terrorism; and what assessment he has made of the success of these measures;

(4) what further measures he proposes to take to combat international terrorism.

Mr. Hurd

We are totally committed to the fight against terrorism and to the need for international co-operation to prevent and combat it. We have taken, and will continue to take, an active role in the relevant international bodies, such as Trevi, to secure a common, firm policy about international terrorism and practical measures to deter and defeat the terrorist.

The first aim of Governments must be to prevent acts of terrorism; if prevention fails, the aim must be to resolve incidents with the minimum loss of life and to bring terrorists to justice. Underlying this policy is the fundamental principle that there should be no substantive concessions to terrorists demands.

We will continue to pursue this policy vigorously in multilateral fora and in our bilateral links with our Community partners and with other like-minded third countries who share our resolve and commitment on tills topic. In addition to multilateral agreements and co-operation, some countries like to have more formalised bilateral agreements to give additional political impetus to co-operation on the topic. I have signed such agreements with Morocco, Egypt and Italy.