Is the hon. Gentleman now telling the House that his policy is to reject the miscellaneous law and that we should change the 2006 Act to give a freeway for Sinn Fein to get into power?

Is the hon. Gentleman now telling the House that his policy is to reject the miscellaneous law and that we should change the 2006 Act to give a freeway for Sinn Fein to get into power?

When Governments bring in legislation, they often face the criticism that it is too little, too late. On the contrary, I fear that the centrepiece of this legislation represents a move too far and too soon. The record will show that I am no supporter of the Diplock courts. In...

When Governments bring in legislation, they often face the criticism that it is too little, too late. On the contrary, I fear that the centrepiece of this legislation represents a move too far and too soon. The record will show that I am no supporter of the Diplock courts. In...

It was a case of scrambled eggs.

It was a case of scrambled eggs.

I am sure that the hon. Lady will agree with me that the statement of the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Dr. McDonnell) that the Diplock courts were responsible for thuggery in police stations was outrageous.

I am sure that the hon. Lady will agree with me that the statement of the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Dr. McDonnell) that the Diplock courts were responsible for thuggery in police stations was outrageous.

Will the hon. Lady give way?

Will the hon. Lady give way?

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that, even within the remit of its current powers, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has failed to recognise that there are boundaries that it should not step over? It passes judgment on whether war is legal, interprets the scope of a Northern Ireland...

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that, even within the remit of its current powers, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has failed to recognise that there are boundaries that it should not step over? It passes judgment on whether war is legal, interprets the scope of a Northern Ireland...

Will the right hon. Gentleman take it from me that many people in Northern Ireland think that this ““progress”” is capitulation and is not going to help? There is the view that many things are moving the situation in one way—especially in favour of the IRA—and we also have this...

Will the right hon. Gentleman take it from me that many people in Northern Ireland think that this ““progress”” is capitulation and is not going to help? There is the view that many things are moving the situation in one way—especially in favour of the IRA—and we also have this...

The hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) will know, as the world knows, that this lady is only temporary. She has been appointed for only a year. The appointment was not permanent. To say that she was not appointed properly is a red herring, an accusation made by people who...

The hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) will know, as the world knows, that this lady is only temporary. She has been appointed for only a year. The appointment was not permanent. To say that she was not appointed properly is a red herring, an accusation made by people who...

Of course it does. I have said to the Government, as I am sure the Secretary of State will remember, ““You gave the IRA over five years to do what they were supposed to do and now you want to give me five minutes and next you want to give...

Of course it does. I have said to the Government, as I am sure the Secretary of State will remember, ““You gave the IRA over five years to do what they were supposed to do and now you want to give me five minutes and next you want to give...

When the violence has ceased, everyone in Northern Ireland will know that it has ceased. Some of us have lived through it. Some of us have attended funeral after funeral. I have laid my hands many times on a little curly-headed boy or a little curly-headed girl while they were...

When the violence has ceased, everyone in Northern Ireland will know that it has ceased. Some of us have lived through it. Some of us have attended funeral after funeral. I have laid my hands many times on a little curly-headed boy or a little curly-headed girl while they were...

The Bill introduced to the House stands in stark contrast to what the Government have been saying to us about Northern Ireland. They have been telling us that things are good, that there is progress, and that we are almost in paradise. In fact, we are almost in perdition. We...

The Bill introduced to the House stands in stark contrast to what the Government have been saying to us about Northern Ireland. They have been telling us that things are good, that there is progress, and that we are almost in paradise. In fact, we are almost in perdition. We...

It should also be underlined that the family is now driven out of the area completely. The last member of a family who have been there for something like 200 years has now moved out.

It should also be underlined that the family is now driven out of the area completely. The last member of a family who have been there for something like 200 years has now moved out.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the best test to which the IRA could be put would be to ask it to give up its ill-gotten gains, and to give back the money that it stole from the bank, to prove to the people that it had quit its criminality?

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the best test to which the IRA could be put would be to ask it to give up its ill-gotten gains, and to give back the money that it stole from the bank, to prove to the people that it had quit its criminality?

: May I remind the hon. Gentleman of the conference at Leeds castle? The DUP set out its plan honestly and openly, but at the very time we were talking to the Government—we did not talk to IRA-Sinn Fein—IRA-Sinn Fein negotiators were planning the bank raid. That is not what...

: May I remind the hon. Gentleman of the conference at Leeds castle? The DUP set out its plan honestly and openly, but at the very time we were talking to the Government—we did not talk to IRA-Sinn Fein—IRA-Sinn Fein negotiators were planning the bank raid. That is not what...

: If the Secretary of State is of a mind to appoint more judges in Northern Ireland, will he assure us that it will not be done on a 50:50 basis?

: If the Secretary of State is of a mind to appoint more judges in Northern Ireland, will he assure us that it will not be done on a 50:50 basis?

Would it not be right to underline the fact that the provision was copied from the law in the south of Ireland, where it still exists and a police officer can give such evidence in court?

Would it not be right to underline the fact that the provision was copied from the law in the south of Ireland, where it still exists and a police officer can give such evidence in court?