§ 8. Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal weapons he can certify as having been decommissioned this year by(a) republican terrorist groups and (b) loyalist terrorist groups. [141759]
§ 9. Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning. [141760]
§ Mr. IngramThis year, to date, we have received no reports from General de Chastelain and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning of any weapons having been decommissioned from either republican or loyalist groups.
The Government welcome the recent decision by the IRA to reopen its arms dumps to reinspection.
We understand that the IRA have had limited re-engagement with the Commission, but further progress is needed to fulfil the promises made in its statement in May.
Both Governments have agreed to take all necessary steps to facilitate the decommissioning process.
§ 11. Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for removing illegally held weapons from Northern Ireland. [141762]
§ Mr. IngramEfforts are continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.
Further progress still needs to be made by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries to meet their commitments to bring a lasting peace to Northern Ireland.
Decommissioning of illegal arms is an essential part of the Good Friday Agreement. All sides must honour all the commitments they have made. However, the Government cannot force decommissioning to occur. It has to be a voluntary, inclusive and consensual process.
§ 22. Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the number of illegal weapons held by terrorist organisations that are active in Northern Ireland; and when he expects to see them decommissioned in accordance with the terms of the Belfast agreement. [141775]
§ Mr. IngramFor obvious reasons, it is not our practice to disclose such intelligence matters. I can however say that substantial amounts of firearms, munitions and explosives are held by various groups in Northern Ireland.
Efforts are still continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.
193WFor their part, the Government are continuing to meet their commitments, as agreed with the Irish Government, to take the steps necessary for full implementation of the Agreement by June 2001.