Is there not a problem with the Human Rights Commission in so far as there is still a concern within the Unionist community that its membership is not broadly reflective of the wider community? If the Secretary of State is going to give it additional powers, does he not need...

Is there not a problem with the Human Rights Commission in so far as there is still a concern within the Unionist community that its membership is not broadly reflective of the wider community? If the Secretary of State is going to give it additional powers, does he not need...

The Secretary of State is aware of the important work of the historical inquiries team, which is looking at the unsolved murders arising out of the troubles in Northern Ireland—thousands of unsolved murders. Will the provisions of the Bill apply to those cases, if the inquiry team is able to...

The Secretary of State is aware of the important work of the historical inquiries team, which is looking at the unsolved murders arising out of the troubles in Northern Ireland—thousands of unsolved murders. Will the provisions of the Bill apply to those cases, if the inquiry team is able to...

: I will endeavour to address the questions that were raised by the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), whom I am delighted to see in his place today, and our thoughts continue to be with him. As my hon. Friend the Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Campbell) has already...

: I will endeavour to address the questions that were raised by the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), whom I am delighted to see in his place today, and our thoughts continue to be with him. As my hon. Friend the Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Campbell) has already...

The hon. Gentleman will recall that during Second Reading of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, the Secretary of State claimed that one reason why the Government were not able to go through a full judicial process for terrorists who were on the run was that it would create major problems...

The hon. Gentleman will recall that during Second Reading of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, the Secretary of State claimed that one reason why the Government were not able to go through a full judicial process for terrorists who were on the run was that it would create major problems...

From the Alliance party.

From the Alliance party.

My party supports the principle as set out in the Bill. We did not divide the House on Second Reading for that reason. Nevertheless, we are disappointed that the Government have not accepted the amendments that we tabled, particularly in relation to the duration of this legislation. I outlined earlier,...

My party supports the principle as set out in the Bill. We did not divide the House on Second Reading for that reason. Nevertheless, we are disappointed that the Government have not accepted the amendments that we tabled, particularly in relation to the duration of this legislation. I outlined earlier,...

I accept your direction, Madam Deputy Speaker. My point is that the need for this legislation relates to the environment in which we are operating. We do not accept the Minister’s argument that we are likely to have an enabling environment in two years’ time that will mean that the...

I accept your direction, Madam Deputy Speaker. My point is that the need for this legislation relates to the environment in which we are operating. We do not accept the Minister’s argument that we are likely to have an enabling environment in two years’ time that will mean that the...

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Let me simply make the general point that it would have strengthened the Bill had provision been made for the admissibility of phone-tap evidence in judicial proceedings in Northern Ireland against terrorist suspects. That could transform the potential for the police to secure further convictions...

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Let me simply make the general point that it would have strengthened the Bill had provision been made for the admissibility of phone-tap evidence in judicial proceedings in Northern Ireland against terrorist suspects. That could transform the potential for the police to secure further convictions...

I assure the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire that, despite all his efforts to lead me astray on this issue, I am not following. To conclude, it is important that the legislation remains on the statute book for as long as it is necessary to afford the people of Northern Ireland...

I assure the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire that, despite all his efforts to lead me astray on this issue, I am not following. To conclude, it is important that the legislation remains on the statute book for as long as it is necessary to afford the people of Northern Ireland...

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was merely responding to an intervention, but I accept your guidance.

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was merely responding to an intervention, but I accept your guidance.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, and I have to say that, on the same day as the First Reading of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, the Government were asking the House to support a measure that sought to extend the period of detention to 90 days—a clear example of...

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, and I have to say that, on the same day as the First Reading of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, the Government were asking the House to support a measure that sought to extend the period of detention to 90 days—a clear example of...

I share the Minister’s optimism but I am a realist. Does the hon. Gentleman accept that some of the organisations that are continuing to engage in acts of terrorism are not involved in the peace process at all? Does he accept also that their stated objective is to use terrorism...

I share the Minister’s optimism but I am a realist. Does the hon. Gentleman accept that some of the organisations that are continuing to engage in acts of terrorism are not involved in the peace process at all? Does he accept also that their stated objective is to use terrorism...

The Minister referred a moment ago to the need for even-handedness and sensitivity. He might not be aware that, tomorrow evening in New York, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy is hosting a dinner at which it plans to give a peace award to Gerry Adams for his work...

The Minister referred a moment ago to the need for even-handedness and sensitivity. He might not be aware that, tomorrow evening in New York, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy is hosting a dinner at which it plans to give a peace award to Gerry Adams for his work...

They can all take their seats here.

They can all take their seats here.

The hon. Gentleman can hardly blame Unionists for seeking to extract from the Government movement on key issues such as the victims commissioner. He will understand how we have felt for years when we stood on the sidelines and watched his party go not to the British Government but the...

The hon. Gentleman can hardly blame Unionists for seeking to extract from the Government movement on key issues such as the victims commissioner. He will understand how we have felt for years when we stood on the sidelines and watched his party go not to the British Government but the...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that a prime example of this differentiation that the Government make is the anticipated legislation on ““on the runs””, when the Government propose to give a de facto amnesty to terrorists, some of whom have committed the most atrocious crimes in Northern Ireland, and that...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that a prime example of this differentiation that the Government make is the anticipated legislation on ““on the runs””, when the Government propose to give a de facto amnesty to terrorists, some of whom have committed the most atrocious crimes in Northern Ireland, and that...

: I understand where the hon. Gentleman is coming from on this point, but does he recognise that one of the major impediments to progress in Northern Ireland is Sinn Fein’s failure to support the police and the rule of the law? If republicans are to be recognised as fully...

: I understand where the hon. Gentleman is coming from on this point, but does he recognise that one of the major impediments to progress in Northern Ireland is Sinn Fein’s failure to support the police and the rule of the law? If republicans are to be recognised as fully...

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman’s comments about the Royal Irish Regiment. We have been meeting regularly with many of the soldiers, and I am aware of their concerns, but they are now being told that it could be January next year before they are given an indication of what...

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman’s comments about the Royal Irish Regiment. We have been meeting regularly with many of the soldiers, and I am aware of their concerns, but they are now being told that it could be January next year before they are given an indication of what...

: I can appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s scepticism, which is shared on these Benches, about statements by paramilitary organisations that have a history of murder and mayhem. However, will he join me in expressing gratitude to the church leaders and representatives, community leaders and political representatives who worked hard on...

: I can appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s scepticism, which is shared on these Benches, about statements by paramilitary organisations that have a history of murder and mayhem. However, will he join me in expressing gratitude to the church leaders and representatives, community leaders and political representatives who worked hard on...

I have listened with interest to many contributions, particularly that of the Secretary of State. I welcome the renewal of this legislation. It is prudent for the Government to do so, because we continue to have a terrorist threat in Northern Ireland and do not yet live in an entirely...

I have listened with interest to many contributions, particularly that of the Secretary of State. I welcome the renewal of this legislation. It is prudent for the Government to do so, because we continue to have a terrorist threat in Northern Ireland and do not yet live in an entirely...