HC Deb 20 December 2000 vol 360 cc193-4W
13. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what initiatives he proposes to take during the next 12 months to advance the peace process. [141765]

Mr. Mandelson

The British and Irish Governments made a joint statement on 5 May setting out the steps we believed necessary to secure the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by June 2001. This elicited a positive response from the IRA in their statement of 6 May and was endorsed by the pro-Agreement parties.

15. Dr. Palmer

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in the peace process since the Good Friday agreement. [141768]

20. Mr. Bill O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Good Friday agreement. [141773]

25. Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [141780]

Mr. Mandelson

I refer the hon. Members to the response I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick),Official Report, column 346.

17. Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his assessment of the impact of a stable economy on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [141770]

Mr. Mandelson

A stable economy and all the benefits it brings—low unemployment, increased investment, improved living standards—has had a very real and positive impact on the peace process because it is clear that these economic benefits have come about as a direct result of the progress we have made on the political front. This encourages support across the community for such progress to continue.