HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc80-1W
Sir John Cope

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now seek an agreement between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic in respect of the right of hot pursuit similar to that reached allowing Spanish police the right of hot pursuit of suspected terrorists into France. [33816]

Sir John Wheeler

I understand that the 'hot pursuit' arrangements between Spain and France to which my right hon. Friend refers are part of those countries' commitments as signatories to the Schengen agreement. Although neither the United Kingdom nor the Republic of Ireland are signatories, there are arrangements between the two countries for dealing with cross-border terrorist incidents.