Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Shadow Minister (Trade) (Also Shadow Minister for International Development), Business; Cotswold, Conservative)

What recent progress has been made on loyalist decommissioning; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward (Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office; St Helens South, Labour)

The House will note the report from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which was placed in the Library last month and which records very significant acts of decommissioning by loyalist groups. The House will also know from my right hon. Friend the Minister of State that the decommissioning order will end unequivocally on 9 February next year.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Shadow Minister (Trade) (Also Shadow Minister for International Development), Business; Cotswold, Conservative)

The Secretary of State has made clear that the amnesty will end in February. That being so, what more can he do to encourage loyalist paramilitaries to participate in the decommissioning process so that it can be completed once and for all? Will he also make clear that those who break the law can expect the full rigour of the law to come down upon them, and that they will face due process?

Shaun Woodward (Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office; St Helens South, Labour)

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's second question is yes. As for his first question, we are making that requirement clear. That is why we are, I believe, making substantial progress on decommissioning, although we expect more. [ Interruption. ]

John Bercow (Speaker)

Order. There are still far too many private conversations taking place in the Chamber. It is very unfair on the Member asking the question, and on the Minister answering it.

Iris Robinson (Strangford, DUP)

My party welcomes the progress made towards total decommissioning by loyalist paramilitaries. When that process has been completed, will the Secretary of State publish an inventory of the weapons decommissioned by both the IRA and the loyalist paramilitaries?

Shaun Woodward (Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office; St Helens South, Labour)

As the hon. Lady knows, as part of the process there will at the end of it be a full statement by the IICD.