Wednesday Volume 508 24 March 2010 No. 63 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 24 March 2010 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 229 24 MARCH 2010 230 Ann Winterton: The new Chief Constable is supported— House of Commons for the first time—by all parties in Northern Ireland, and yet the police’s reputation for effectiveness in combating Wednesday 24 March 2010 crime and terrorism has never actually been lower. Why is that? The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Mr. Woodward: I am afraid that I agree with only one part of the hon. Lady’s question, which is to recognise that the Chief Constable was appointed to his job with PRAYERS unanimous support; I entirely disagree with everything else she says. Confidence in policing in Northern Ireland is at record levels and will stay at record levels, and it [MR.SPEAKER in the Chair] continues to enjoy a support of which most hon. Members in this House would be extremely envious. The PSNI has brought down crime and been extremely successful Oral Answers to Questions in tackling even the activities of some of the most hated criminals in the community, and I hope she recognises that. NORTHERN IRELAND Mr. Mackay: Will the Secretary of State confirm that there is no hiding place for violent republican dissidents across the border, and that co-operation has never been The Secretary of State was asked— better, particularly under the new Garda commissioner? Security Situation Mr. Woodward: I put on record that the levels of co-operation in both Northern Ireland and the Republic 1. Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield) (Con): What have never been greater or better. That is true of every recent assessment he has made of the level of aspect of dealing with and preventing crime, none more paramilitary activity by republican groups in Northern so than those areas of crimes associated with paramilitary Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [322973] activity, and especially the investigations that are taking place into the recent murders of soldiers and a police 3. Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con): What recent constable. assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland. [322975] John Robertson (Glasgow, North-West) (Lab): Does my right hon. Friend agree that it was unfortunate that 4. Mr. Andrew Mackay (Bracknell) (Con): What the Ulster Unionist party could not come on board in recent assessment he has made of the activities of what was happening in the devolution process, and that dissident republicans in Northern Ireland. [322976] perhaps, the Conservatives might have done a bit more to try and persuade it to come on board? The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Shaun Woodward): The threat level in Northern Ireland remains Mr. Woodward: I think I will not take the temptation at “severe”. The Government are not complacent about to make a political point, because I actually want to the threat that dissident republicans continue to pose thank the Conservatives for their support. Their alliance despite their having little or no community support. with the UUP is of course a matter for them, as is the The House will wish to know that the Police Service of question of whether they can ultimately influence that Northern Ireland continues to disrupt the activity of party. I regret the fact that the UUP did not vote for the that small criminal group. So far this year, it has made Hillsborough castle agreement and the devolution of 51 arrests, brought 12 charges and made three seizures. policing and justice. Sir Nicholas Winterton: The Northern Executive, fully Dr. William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Dissident supported by the majority of the people of Northern republicans pose a serious threat to the people of Northern Ireland, not least the Unionist population, have achieved Ireland. On Saturday last, a pipe bomb was found in a huge success, with major concessions to the nationalist public place, outside the police station in Magherafelt, population. Will the Secretary of State confirm to the which is just a few yards from my home. Also, members House that there is now absolutely no need whatever for and ex-members of the PSNI in my constituency and a any paramilitary activity, unless it is by a hard core of number of others are under threat from dissident people who want to destroy the peace, stability and republicans. What active measures are the Government economic success of Northern Ireland? going to take to ensure that those organisations are infiltrated, brought to justice and defeated? Mr. Woodward: The House will know of the historic vote that took place in Stormont on 9 March—nearly Mr. Woodward: The hon. Gentleman knows a great all parties in the cross-party community vote were in deal about the impact of that kind of activity, not only support. I simply say to the hon. Gentleman that there as a very fine and outstanding constituency Member of never has been a need for any paramilitary activity: not Parliament, but as a person and as a family member, so then, not now, not in future. As for concessions, we need I say this with huge respect for, and understanding of, to understand this as a matter not of concessions, but of where the question is coming from. We will do everything power sharing. Both sides may have compromised, but to support the Chief Constable and the PSNI to tackle they have done so for the good of everybody in Northern both those who have committed crime and those who Ireland. intend to commit crime. We will work as closely as 231 Oral Answers24 MARCH 2010 Oral Answers 232 possible with the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister, devolution of policing and justice has taken place. Let the Executive and the institutions of devolved Government us remember that the report by the Independent Monitoring to bring those people to justice. Commission said that that would be the “potent intervention” in dealing with dissident republicans. Mr. Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich, West) (Lab/Co-op): Obviously it is very disappointing that the Ulster Unionists Presbyterian Mutual Society in the Assembly did not support the cross-community vote. Will my right hon. Friend continue to work on a 2. Mr. Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con): What recent cross-party basis in the hope that the Ulster Unionists discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the will be persuaded to back this in future? Exchequer on the effect on savers in Northern Ireland of the collapse of the Presbyterian mutual society. Mr. Woodward: Although the leadership of the Ulster [322974] Unionist party and its Assembly Members did not vote for this on 9 March, it was perfectly clear from public The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Paul opinion and the confidence that all political parties had Goggins): The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and my established in Northern Ireland that that vote had the right hon. Friend the Secretary of State are both members support of all communities in Northern Ireland, including of the ministerial working group established by the those who would identify themselves as supporters of Prime Minister. They, along with Ministers from the the Ulster Unionist party. Unfortunately, its leadership Northern Ireland Executive, are in regular contact in an did not reflect that on the day. effort to assist members of the PMS whose investments were affected by the society’s entry into administration. Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): The Secretary of State’s assessment of the level of risk Mr. Dunne: The Financial Services Authority warned is clearly sensible and realistic. It brings with it the of a problem with the PMS almost a year ago, the potential for future challenges for the PSNI in dealing Prime Minister set up his working group last summer, with that risk if it becomes reality. Will he confirm that the Treasury Committee issued a scathing report this he will use his good offices to ensure access to the February saying that nothing would be resolved unless Treasury for contingency funding should the necessity a political lead was given and this morning the relevant arise? Minister in another place gave no lead whatsoever and no clue as to what might happen. Is this not a classic Mr. Woodward: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his example of a Government who are incapable of taking support in this. He will know that my right hon. Friend a decision and who are letting down 100,000 savers in the Prime Minister made an additional £30 million of Northern Ireland? funding available from the reserve for the current financial year for the PSNI. My right hon. Friend has already Paul Goggins: No, it is not, because the Prime Minister committed nearly £40 million of additional funding, established the working group and I hope that it will which will be available to the Chief Constable to deal very shortly be able to consider a proposition—a paper— with the threat posed by dissidents. This Government from the Executive in Northern Ireland, which will put will stand with the people of Northern Ireland and with forward a range of options. The commercial option is, the devolved Government. of course, one that we would all wish to see taken, if it is possible to do so.