Police Co-operation

HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 c1202W

Mr. Cawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the agreement between the British and Irish Governments on police co-operation will come into operation. [73435]

Jane Kennedy

The agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland on police co-operation was signed in Belfast on 29 April 2002 and was laid before Parliament on 22 July (Cm 5579). It will come into operation when the necessary parliamentary procedures have been completed in both jurisdictions; this may not be until the autumn. In the meantime, both Governments and the two police services will continue to progress work on the various measures required to give it effect.