HC Deb 23 October 2002 vol 391 c367W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his assessment is of compliance with the ceasefire by paramilitaries since his statement of 24 July. [74016]

Jane Kennedy

Ceasefires, however defined, are not by themselves enough to sustain confidence in the process. The transition from violence to democracy must be completed. There is no authority, legitimacy or political basis for anyone to have recourse to violence or paramilitary activity. All paramilitary groups must now decide whether they are committed to exclusively democratic and non-violent means.

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