HC Deb 28 February 2001 vol 363 cc693-4W
13. Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent developments have been made towards decommissioning; and if he will make a statement. [149960]

19. Miss Kirkbride

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning. [149967]

Mr. Ingram

Decommissioning remains an essential part of securing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government continue to work together with the Irish Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to achieve what we all want—the removal of the gun from Northern Ireland politics for good.

20. Mr. Wardle

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [149968]

23. Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [149971]

Mr. Ingram

Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari have reported that they have completed their second inspection of several IRA arms dumps. It represents further progress and an honouring of commitments given at the beginning of May. I am confident the inspectors will report any further progress that has been made when they deem it appropriate to do so.

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.

Efforts are still continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.