HC Deb 17 May 2000 vol 350 cc149-50W
6. Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of when the decommissioning section of the Belfast agreement will be implemented. [121150]

Mr. Mandelson

The Government regard the recent IRA statement as a very significant development, including for the first time a definite commitment to put weapons completely and verifiably beyond use.

We believe we can now build on this announcement so that the Good Friday Agreement can be implemented in all its aspects.

11. Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of when he expects the decommissioning provisions of the Belfast agreement will be implemented. [121155]

13. Mr. Mates

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives. [121157]

19. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the process of decommissioning illegally-held weapons and explosives. [121163]

22. Mr. Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the state of the peace process with regard to decommissioning. [121166]

23. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives. [121168]

26. Mr. Forth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives. [121170]

Mr. Ingram

I refer the right hon. Member and the hon. Members to the answer given earlier by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

17. Mr. Maginnis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the current status is of the de Chastelain commission; and if its role will be extended beyond 22 May. [121161]

Mr. Ingram

The role of the IICD will continue to be as stated in the joint declaration by the two Governments on 5 MayThe IICD will continue its task under the Agreement. The Governments will now ask the IICD to consider urgently, in consultation with representatives of the paramilitary organisations, whether there are any further proposals for decommissioning schemes which offer the Commission greater scope to proceed in a more effective and satisfactory way with the discharge of this basic mandate, and to report. The Governments will make further reports as necessary. Those reports will be published promptly by the two Governments.

21. Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is towards the inclusion of political representatives of paramilitary groups in the Northern Ireland Executive without the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives. [121165]

Mr. Mandelson

Our policy is to achieve both devolution and decommissioning on terms consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. With the British and Irish Governments' Joint Statement on 5 May and the IRA statement of 6 May, I believe there is now a basis for making progress in achieving both objectives.