Peace Process

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 February 1997.

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Photo of Sir Patrick Mayhew Sir Patrick Mayhew , Tunbridge Wells 12:00, 27 February 1997

I have already this afternoon set out the shared position of both Governments in regard to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question. As to the first part, it was again due to the extreme professionalism of the security forces that a murderous attack was forestalled last night in the hon. Gentleman's constituency and also in another part of Belfast. That is wholly incompatible with any credibility being attached to professions of seeking peace. As to the future of the talks, that will of course depend on the participants in the talks, but I take great heart from the fact that those participating in the talks have almost universally expressed the desire that, after a period in cold storage, they will resume. It is the intention of everyone that they resume in as positive an environment as possible.