Oral Answers to Questions

Jack Lopresti Excerpts

Wednesday 19th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the threat from dissident groups.

[Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con)]

3. What recent assessment he has made of the threat posed by terrorist groups in Northern Ireland.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of dissident activity in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jack Lopresti]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the recent unanimous support from all parts of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the Police Service of Northern Ireland in dealing with the dissident threat sends a clear message that those organisations will not succeed?

[Mr Paterson]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question, which follows on from what I have just said. He is absolutely right to draw attention to the fact that we now have a police service that is wholly accountable to a democratically elected Justice Minister and a democratically elected Policing Board, on which all parties sit.