Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Kris Hopkins (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 1 November 2011 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

Historical Enquiries Team

Question: I thank the Minister for his response. The Irish presidential election was characterised by Martin McGuinness’s refusal once again to tell the truth about his IRA past. Does the Minister agree that it would be helpful if Mr McGuinness and his Sinn Fein colleagues engaged with the Historical Enquiries Team so that we can draw a line once and for all under the troubles in Northern Ireland?

Answer: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The HET is in the process of investigating 2,206 deaths. Currently, the HET can say that 1,202 of those were caused by republicans, 699 by loyalists and 252 by the security services, and that the causes of 53 are unknown. Everybody in Northern Ireland is touched by the issue in some way. To do a thorough and comprehensive job, the HET requires all to co-operate. Yes, I think we should send a clear message to everybody in Northern Ireland that if the HET wishes them to co-operate in order to throw light on what happened, they should do so.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: NIGC c11
Session: 2010-12
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects: Criminal investigation Homicide IRA Northern Ireland Sinn Féin Historical Enquiries Team
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk