Northern Ireland: Ceasefires

HL Deb 24 September 2002 vol 638 c261WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 26 June (WA 135) and 23 July, whether it is possible for a paramilitary organisation to be on ceasefire while developing and testing weapons of mass destruction. [HL5624]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

For confidence to be maintained in the process, there must be an assurance that there will never again be a return to the violence of the past, in particular that preparations are not going on under the surface for a resumption of a terrorist campaign. In reviewing the status of the ceasefires it is only right that five years on these judgments should become more rigorous. The Secretary of State reported on 24 July that he will give particular weight to any substantiated information that a paramilitary organisation is engaged in training, targeting, acquisition or development of arms or weapons or any similar preparations for a terrorist campaign in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.