HC Deb 01 May 2002 vol 384 cc836-7W
9. Kevin Brennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [51675]

20. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the operation in the past 12 months of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland. [51687]

Dr. John Reid

The devolved institutions have already embarked on a wide ranging process of review and reform. Since last November a new stability has been achieved. I believe that, under the able leadership of the First and Deputy First Ministers, the institutions offer the potential for greatly improved public services, through local decisions by local people reflecting local circumstances.

22. Mr. Lazarowicz

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the decommissioning of weapons by paramilitary groups. [516891

Jane Kennedy

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported, on 8 April 2002, that it had witnessed an event in which the IRA leadership has put a varied and substantial quantity of ammunition, arms and explosive material beyond use. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning confirmed that they have made an inventory of the arms concerned.

The process is on-going and we now need to see loyalist groups commence decommissioning. There needs also to be a decommissioning of mindsets. Terrorist groups must end all forms of paramilitary activity and dismantle the apparatus of terrorism.

Linda Gilroy

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness in the past year of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland. [51677]

Dr. John Reid

The devolved institutions have already embarked on a wide-ranging process of review and reform. Since last November a new stability has been achieved. I believe that, under the able leadership of the First and Deputy First Ministers, the institutions offer the potential for greatly improved public services, through local decisions by local people reflecting local circumstances.