Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill. Committee stage sixth sitting (afternoon) [Part II]. Clauses 6 and 7 agreed to. Clause 8 under consideration.

Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill. Committee stage sixth sitting (afternoon) [Part II]. Clauses 6 and 7 agreed to. Clause 8 under consideration.

No, I have given way to the hon. Gentleman before and will do so again, but I think that I have the right at least to make my case in answer to the question. If it had not been ended, that historic and murderous terrorist campaign would have created even...

No, I have given way to the hon. Gentleman before and will do so again, but I think that I have the right at least to make my case in answer to the question. If it had not been ended, that historic and murderous terrorist campaign would have created even...

Shameful!

Shameful!

I started taking interventions some half an hour or more ago, at which time I was explaining that Mo Mowlam started the process by acknowledging that victims had suffered grievously during the Northern Ireland conflict. We all know that, in many respects, their cases had been appallingly neglected for decades,...

I started taking interventions some half an hour or more ago, at which time I was explaining that Mo Mowlam started the process by acknowledging that victims had suffered grievously during the Northern Ireland conflict. We all know that, in many respects, their cases had been appallingly neglected for decades,...

If individuals who appear before the special court are convicted—the hon. Gentleman will understand that that will depend on the evidence—they will have a criminal record. [Interruption.] That is the point that I am making about a system of justice. Let me also deal with the point about comfort. As...

If individuals who appear before the special court are convicted—the hon. Gentleman will understand that that will depend on the evidence—they will have a criminal record. [Interruption.] That is the point that I am making about a system of justice. Let me also deal with the point about comfort. As...

I understand my hon. Friend’s point, which was also expressed powerfully by the hon. Member for South Staffordshire. The Bill has a long way to go in order to complete its passage and we shall listen carefully to the arguments, but for reasons that I have explained the Bill provides...

I understand my hon. Friend’s point, which was also expressed powerfully by the hon. Member for South Staffordshire. The Bill has a long way to go in order to complete its passage and we shall listen carefully to the arguments, but for reasons that I have explained the Bill provides...

The Secretary of State sprinkled the term ““justice”” throughout his speech. He is not prepared to make certain people accede to a request to appear before a court—I ignore all the other measures in the Bill that do not require the perpetrator of a crime to appear or co-operate in...

The Secretary of State sprinkled the term ““justice”” throughout his speech. He is not prepared to make certain people accede to a request to appear before a court—I ignore all the other measures in the Bill that do not require the perpetrator of a crime to appear or co-operate in...

The Secretary of State has referred seven times to two agreements—an agreement between the Irish and British Governments and an agreement between the British Government and Sinn Fein. Was it agreed with Sinn Fein that these criminals—these murderers—would never stand in a court of law? Was it agreed that they...

The Secretary of State has referred seven times to two agreements—an agreement between the Irish and British Governments and an agreement between the British Government and Sinn Fein. Was it agreed with Sinn Fein that these criminals—these murderers—would never stand in a court of law? Was it agreed that they...

That case was unique in that about six weeks after I had had Sean Kelly arrested—I was widely attacked for doing that, but it was the right thing to do—it was clear that the IRA had given up its terrorist campaign, as it was due to announce the next day,...

That case was unique in that about six weeks after I had had Sean Kelly arrested—I was widely attacked for doing that, but it was the right thing to do—it was clear that the IRA had given up its terrorist campaign, as it was due to announce the next day,...

The next one will be as well.

The next one will be as well.

My right hon. Friend has already described the Bill as unpalatable, which I think is parliamentary language meaning that it is abhorrent to many people because of the repercussions for victims. Some Labour Members may not be in a position to understand that, but we entirely understand where the Opposition...

My right hon. Friend has already described the Bill as unpalatable, which I think is parliamentary language meaning that it is abhorrent to many people because of the repercussions for victims. Some Labour Members may not be in a position to understand that, but we entirely understand where the Opposition...

In all fairness, the hon. Gentleman did make that point to me when I gave evidence to his Committee a few weeks ago. Let me repeat what I said then. Pre-legislative scrutiny is an admirable process, initiated by this Government and by me and supported by me, but it cannot...

In all fairness, the hon. Gentleman did make that point to me when I gave evidence to his Committee a few weeks ago. Let me repeat what I said then. Pre-legislative scrutiny is an admirable process, initiated by this Government and by me and supported by me, but it cannot...

: As the Secretary of State has neither logic nor justice on his side, and as he is clearly deeply uncomfortable with the case that he is having to put to the House, why can he not accept the offer made to him on behalf of the Northern Ireland Affairs...

: As the Secretary of State has neither logic nor justice on his side, and as he is clearly deeply uncomfortable with the case that he is having to put to the House, why can he not accept the offer made to him on behalf of the Northern Ireland Affairs...

A whole process of negotiation led to this position, but the hon. Lady is right to say that the Bill originated in the negotiations of 2001 and 2003.

A whole process of negotiation led to this position, but the hon. Lady is right to say that the Bill originated in the negotiations of 2001 and 2003.

If they come back, they will initially apply to the commissioner. If they return to Northern Ireland or any other part of the UK after the commissioner has issued a certificate—the contents of the certificate are determined not by the on-the-run suspect, but by the Police Service of Northern Ireland—they...

If they come back, they will initially apply to the commissioner. If they return to Northern Ireland or any other part of the UK after the commissioner has issued a certificate—the contents of the certificate are determined not by the on-the-run suspect, but by the Police Service of Northern Ireland—they...

May I offer my personal condolences to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), with whom I was at university for three years? The Secretary of State is well aware of the scepticism among some elements of the Protestant community in Northern Ireland about the detailed implementation of aspects of...

May I offer my personal condolences to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), with whom I was at university for three years? The Secretary of State is well aware of the scepticism among some elements of the Protestant community in Northern Ireland about the detailed implementation of aspects of...

Some in absentia trials do occur, but I recognise the hon. Lady’s point. Defendants might well choose to appear before the special court because they do not want the sentence that would result from the conviction. I repeat the point that I made and reconfirm that no assurance was given...

Some in absentia trials do occur, but I recognise the hon. Lady’s point. Defendants might well choose to appear before the special court because they do not want the sentence that would result from the conviction. I repeat the point that I made and reconfirm that no assurance was given...

Was the commitment for defendants not to have to appear in court given in writing to the IRA? If victims can be subpoenaed to appear in court, while the perpetrator can be sitting in a pub down the road waiting for the result, how can the court achieve a fair...

Was the commitment for defendants not to have to appear in court given in writing to the IRA? If victims can be subpoenaed to appear in court, while the perpetrator can be sitting in a pub down the road waiting for the result, how can the court achieve a fair...

A number of British soldiers have faced difficulties in regard to acts that they may have committed as a matter of duty under military law. Are some of those soldiers who have been convicted to be given pardons? It is outrageous that terrorists should get away with it, while soldiers...

A number of British soldiers have faced difficulties in regard to acts that they may have committed as a matter of duty under military law. Are some of those soldiers who have been convicted to be given pardons? It is outrageous that terrorists should get away with it, while soldiers...

I face an abundance of hon. Members wanting to intervene. I give way to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash).

I face an abundance of hon. Members wanting to intervene. I give way to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash).