§ 14. Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the steps being taken towards normalising security procedures. [81296]
§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on recent steps taken towards scaling down security measures. [81288]
§ Mr. IngramSince July 1997, the Chief Constable has announced a progressive reduction in security measures in the province.
Specific measures include a reduction in troop levels, which now stand at under 15,000, fewer than at any time since 1970, a two-thirds reduction in military patrolling, up to a third reduction in helicopter activity and the closure of 25 military bases and installations.
The security situation continues to be kept under close scrutiny and further progress will depend on the assessment of the terrorist threat.