HC Deb 25 June 2003 vol 407 cc843-4W
6. Sir Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the extent of verifiable decommissioning of illegally held weapons and explosives in Northern Ireland. [120571]

Jane Kennedy

There have been three acts of decommissioning to date; one by the Loyalist Volunteer Force and two by the Provisional IRA. Each has been verified by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning in accordance with the Government's scheme and regulations.

8. Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made on decommissioning. [120573]

Jane Kennedy

To date there have been three acts of decommissioning carried out by paramilitary organisations, one by the Loyalist Volunteer Force and two by the Provisional IRA. In 2002 the UVF, UDA and Provisional IRA broke off contact with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. However, in 2003 the Provisional IRA resumed contact and the Loyalist Commission, along with the UDA representatives, met the IICD. The Prime Minister stated clearly in his speech on 1 May 2003 that an undertaking is needed that all arms will be put beyond use through the IICD.

9. Andrew Selous

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Good Friday agreement in achieving the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. [120574]

Jane Kennedy

It is important that we do not lose sight of the fact that two acts of decommissioning by the Provisional IRA and one by the Loyalist Volunteer Force have taken place since the Agreement. That was the start of a process that must continue until all the apparatus of terrorism, in all its forms, is dismantled. The Prime Minister stated clearly in his speech on 1 May 2003 that an undertaking is needed that all arms will be put beyond use through the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.