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Written Answers
Wednesday, 24th October 2001.
Provisional IRA: Alleged Security Force Collusion in the Irish Republic
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What progress they are making in their representations to the Government of the Irish Republic into alleged security force collusion with the Provisional IRA in the Irish Republic.[HL160]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): We have not made representations to the Irish Government on this issue. We do accept as do the Irish that certain cases from the past remain a source of grave public concern, particularly those giving rise to serious allegations of collusion by the security forces in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This was one of the issues dealt with in the package of proposals the UK and Irish Governments put to the parties on 1 August. These proposals flowed from the intensive discussions the Irish and we have been engaged in with the parties in recent weeks. The aim of those discussions was to help deliver the full and early implementation of the Good Friday agreement. The package addresses the four outstanding issues: policing, the stability of the institutions, security normalisation and decommissioning. We have invited the parties to give their views on these proposals.
On the issue of alleged collusion, the package includes a proposal that the UK and Irish Governments will appoint a judge of international standing from outside both jurisdictions to undertake a thorough examination of such allegations in the cases of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, along with those of Mr Finucane and Mrs Nelson, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright.
Subject to the parties' agreement on the overall package, it is intended that the investigation of each individual case would begin no later than the end of April 2002, unless this is clearly prejudicial to forthcoming prosecution at that time.
We will publish detailed terms of reference. However, the appointed judge will be asked to review all the papers, interview anyone who can help, establish the facts and will report with recommendations for any further action. If the independent judge recommends a public inquiry in any case, the relevant government will implement that recommendation.
We believe that this approach represents a genuine attempt to respond to the legitimate needs and concerns of those bereaved as a result of these appalling outrages. In dealing with the allegations of collusion once and for all, it will allow us to draw a final line under the past.
Provisional IRA: Creation
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What progress they are making in their representations to the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning an inquiry into allegations of the government's part in the creation of the Provisional IRA in 1969, 1970 and 1971.[HL192]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government have made no such representations.
Northern Ireland: Deaths since 1969 as a Result of the Security Situation
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many people, from 1968 to date, were killed in the "troubles" associated with Northern Ireland, distinguishing civilian, paramilitary and security force victims. [HL723]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The attached table provides details of the number of persons including members of the security forces and civilians who were killed as a result of the security situation in Northern Ireland since 1969, the date when records began. It is not possible to be definitive in determining if someone who is killed is associated with a specific group. Any information that may exist about the paramilitary membership of victims would often be as a result of intelligence and therefore inappropriate to be placed in the public domain.
| RUC | RUC/R | Army | UDR/RIR | Civilian | Total | |
| 1969 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 13 | 14 |
| 1970 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 23 | 25 |
| 1971 | 11 | -- | 43 | 5 | 115 | 174 |
| 1972 | 14 | 3 | 105 | 26 | 322 | 470 |
| 1973 | 10 | 3 | 58 | 8 | 173 | 252 |
| 1974 | 12 | 3 | 30 | 7 | 168 | 220 |
| 1975 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 216 | 247 |
| 1976 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 245 | 297 |
| 1977 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 69 | 112 |
| 1978 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 50 | 81 |
| 1979 | 9 | 5 | 38 | 10 | 51 | 113 |
| 1980 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 76 |
| 1981 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 57 | 101 |
| 1982 | 8 | 4 | 21 | 7 | 57 | 97 |
| 1983 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 44 | 77 |
| 1984 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 36 | 64 |
| 1985 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 55 |
| 1986 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 37 | 61 |
| 1987 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 68 | 95 |
| 1988 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 12 | 55 | 94 |
| 1989 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 39 | 62 |
| 1990 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 49 | 76 |
| 1991 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 75 | 94 |
| 1992 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 76 | 85 |
| 1993 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 70 | 84 |
| 1994 | 3 | -- | 1 | 2 | 56 | 62 |
| 1995 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 8 | 9 |
| 1996 | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 14 | 15 |
| 1997 | 3 | 1 | 1 | -- | 17 | 22 |
| 1998 | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | 53 | 55 |
| 1999 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7 | 7 |
| 2000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 18 | 18 |
| 2001 | ||||||
| (To 14 Oct) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 11 | 11 |
| Total | 200 | 102 | 452 | 203 | 2,368 | 3,325 |
Republic of Ireland: Arms Dumps
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many terrorist arms dumps they estimate are located in the Republic of Ireland.[HL738]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The determination of the number of unlawful arms dumps in the Republic of Ireland is a matter of continual analysis by the Garda based on operational intelligence. It is not the practice of the Garda to comment publicly on such matters. The Garda seize any illegally held arms whenever they can and will continue to do so. The decommissioning Act 1997, and regulations made under it, provide for the decommissioning of such arms.
Northern Ireland: Police Recruitment Policy
Lord Rogan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How long they envisage the so-called 50:50 recruitment policy to be sustained for trainees joining the police service of Northern Ireland.[HL829]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The 50:50 recruitment policy is subject to review and renewal every three years. In deciding whether to renew the provisions, the Secretary of State will have regard to the progress which has been made towards securing a representative police service. He will also consult with the Policing Board, and others with a particular interest, such as the Equality Commission.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they propose to announce the new members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether they will ensure that any appointments reflect a community balance in the commission.[HL834]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: We hope to announce the outcome of the recent competition for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in the near future. In making his decision, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will comply with his statutory duty under Section 68(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to "as far as practicable secure that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland".
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps they propose to take to ensure that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission acts within its legal limit.[HL835]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The functions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are clearly set out in Section 69 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. It is open to anyone who believes the commission is acting outwith its remit and who has suffered detriment as a result of this to seek a judicial review of the commission's actions. However, the Government would also welcome specific concerns being drawn to their attention.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission made any statements following the murder of the journalist Martin O'Hagan; and, if not, why not.[HL836]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish a list of venues for public consultations which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission propose to hold before 1 December 2001.[HL837]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is taking to consult Peers and Members of Parliament about aspects of human rights; and whether they can ensure that, once arrangements are made, these consultations actually take place.[HL848]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
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