Security Situation (Hansard, 28 March 2001)

§ 21. Mr. Fabricant
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation. [154359]

§ Mr. Ingram
The main paramilitary groups are maintaining their ceasefires; however, there remains a continued threat from dissident paramilitaries as evidenced by the recent 1,100 lb bomb discovered in South Armagh and recent attacks on the Belfast to Dublin railway line. The security forces continue to thwart the attempts of these groups to destroy the peace process.

§ 24. Mr. Fraser
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is regarding the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland. [154362]

§ 28. Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is regarding the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland. [154366]

§ Mr. Ingram
Government remain committed to normalisation of security as quickly as the threat allows. Major progress has already been made. Since the ceasefire 42 military bases have been demolished, closed or vacated. There are currently under 13,500 troops in Northern Ireland, the lowest level since 1970. Over 3,000 troops have left the Province since the current ceasefires were declared.
In the longer term, the number of army bases will reduce to no more than 20, to include 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.