HC Deb 24 January 2001 vol 361 cc641-2W
16. Mr. Browne

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps he is taking to create a normal security environment in Northern Ireland. [145489]

Mr. Ingram

The Chief Constable recently announced a number of further normalisation measures including the demolition of the six Fermanagh patrol bases, the closure and demolition of Long Kesh army base and the closure of Strand road holding centre. Three of the Fermanagh patrol bases have been demolished and work has begun on the remaining three.

In the longer term, the number of army bases will reduce to no more than 20. This includes sites in Londonderry, Belfast, Coleraine and Dungannon. However, these further measures will very much depend on the removal of the threat from dissident republicans and continued progress towards a normal civil society.