§ Mr. WicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to publish the report by Mr. J. J. Rowe QC on the operation during 1997 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996; and what conclusions she has reached concerning the future of the Act in the light of Mr. Rowe's report. [48481]
§ Marjorie MowlamI have received Mr. Rowe's report. It is being published today and copies are being placed in the Library of both Houses. I note that Mr. Rowe is of the firm view that the provisions of the Act are still needed, and am reassured that he concludes that the security forces have operated the powers properly and carefully.
Mr. Rowe fulfils a very important role and I am most grateful to him for his work. The Government agree that the powers are still necessary; Parliament too has endorsed this view by the enactment in April of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1998, which extends the life of the 1996 Act and obviates the need this year for Continuance debates.
However, under powers vested in me by section 62 of the 1996 Act I may, by order approved by resolution of each House, lapse any of the temporary provisions of the Act at any time. Therefore I will, as always, keep the continuance of the provisions under review.
133WMr. Rowe's Report on the operation of the Act during 1997 will inform Parliament's considerations when the Act, or any of its provisions, is next debated.