§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their latest assessment of the likelihood of the surrender of terrorist arms in Northern Ireland. [HL1857]
§ Lord DubsAll the parties supporting the agreement of 10 April are committed to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations. They have also confirmed their intention to work with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning to achieve decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within two years following endorsement of the agreement in referendums.
The agreement—if endorsed at referendum—must be implemented in all its parts. In his speech in Belfast on 14 May, the Prime Minister clarified the factors that would be taken into account in judging whether the terms and spirit of the agreement were being met. These factors include, "full co-operation with the Independent Commission on Decommissioning, to implement the provisions of the Agreement" and the Prime Minister undertook that this will be enshrined in forthcoming legislation.