§ 23. Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was discussed at the last Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Intergovernmental Conference last met on 18 October. Discussions continued on a range of issues relating to confidence in the security forces and the system of justice. Security co-operation, cross-border economic co-operation and the implementation of the conclusions of the review of the working of the conference were matters also discussed. The joint statement issued after the meeting was placed in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.
§ 31. Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent meetings of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
§ 33. Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
§ Mr. BrookeThere have been three recent meetings of the Intergovernmental Conference, and copies of the joint statements issued after each have been placed in the Library of the House and the Vote Office. A large part of the meetings was taken up with issues affecting the confidence of the community in the security forces in Northern Ireland, and further discussions are likely at future conference meetings.