§ 19. Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in decommissioning illegal firearms. [32148]
§ 27. Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in achieving the decommissioning of illegal weapons by terrorist groups in Northern Ireland. [32156]
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§ Mr. IngramBased on the proposals of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning the two Governments submitted draft schemes to the talks liaison sub-committee on Decommissioning on 25 February. A draft order under section 2 of the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 enabling a scheme to identify an amnesty period was laid on 2 March and will be debated by both Houses.
It is important that all the mechanisms which would enable voluntary decommissioning to take place are completed in fulfilment of the two Governments' commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary weapons on the basis of the Report of the International Body. We recognise decommissioning of the kind envisaged will be a voluntary activity. Both Governments have said that they see the resolution of the decommissioning issue as an indispensable part of the negotiations. It is now for those in possession of illegal arms to take this important confidence building step.