Written question asked by Hartley Booth (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 December 1996. It was answered by John Wheeler (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 December 1996 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: What assessment he has made of the current level of IRA terrorist risk.

Answer: Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the capability of the Provisional IRA to mount a terrorist campaign. [7344] Mr. Booth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the current level of IRA terrorist risk. [7329] Sir John Wheeler: Our assessment is that the Provisional IRA is capable of mounting a sustained terrorist campaign both in Northern Ireland and elsewhere and that there is currently a high risk of attack from PIRA. The security forces remain vigilant to prevent such attacks, and have achieved a number of important recent successes.

Secondary information