HC Deb 18 July 2001 vol 372 c218W
17. Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the inclusion of political representatives of armed terrorist organisations in the Government of Northern Ireland. [2888]

19. Mr. Cameron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the inclusion of political representatives of armed terrorist organisations in the Government of Northern Ireland. [2890]

Dr. John Reid

The policy of this Government is to facilitate the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including its provisions on the constitutional settlement. For as long as each member of the Executive is appointed to their post under the terms and conditions set out in the Agreement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998—including their commitment under the Pledge of Office to exclusively peaceful and democratic means— they have a legitimate right to hold that position. Safeguards in the Agreement and the legislation also ensure that if a Minister loses the confidence of the Assembly, Members may vote in favour of an exclusion motion and remove them from office. The Government support these provisions.