HC Deb 06 November 1997 vol 300 cc292-3W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will consider introducing a greater level of transparency into the assessment of the security situation. [13061]

Mr. Ingram

Both the Chief Constable and Ministers regularly provide up-to-date assessments of the security situation which are as comprehensive as possible. Most recently members of the Select Committee on Northern Ireland visited Northern Ireland and were provided with a detailed up-to-date briefing on the current security situation. However, my hon. Friend will be aware that the nature of some information available to the Government and the security forces is of such a sensitive nature that it cannot be placed in the public domain.