Marches and Parades (Hansard, 9 July 1997)

§ 13. Mr. Gordon Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional steps she proposes to take to minimise the risk of disorder during the marching season. [5903]

§ Dr. Mowlam
I, my Ministers and senior officials have been involved in intensive discussions with representatives of the Orange Order, residents' groups and others to resolve the problem of contentious parades. These efforts will continue.
Considerable disorder has followed the Orange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road on Sunday. While recognising the anger felt in the Nationalist community, there can be no justification for the scenes of violence witnessed over the past few days.

§ 21. Mr. Home Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the cost of police and military security at marches and parades. [5911]

§ Dr. Mowlam
The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

§ 24. Ms Ward
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on parades and marches in Northern Ireland. [5914]

§ 29. Shona McIsaac
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on parades and marches in Northern Ireland. [5919]

§ Dr. Mowlam
The Government will continue to seek a resolution to the difficult problems of contentious marches in Northern Ireland. We remain firmly committed to the principle of local accommodation and dialogue as offering the best solution.
An agreed settlement could not be reached at Drumcree. The Chief Constable took his decision in the interests of public safety and the Government fully supports him. Decisions on future parades will be made using the criteria set down by the relevant legislation.
The Government is committed to bringing forward new legislation on parades later this year which will provide the basis for a new approach to this issue.