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Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 8:05 pm on 18 December 2001.

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Photo of Douglas Hogg Douglas Hogg Conservative, Sleaford and North Hykeham 8:05, 18 December 2001

The House is grateful to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for your indication that the document should be placed in the Library. As one of those hon. Members who heard the whole exchange, I am bound to say that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland did a serious injustice to Mr. Trimble, and I am glad to think that that injustice will be put right.

This has been a distinguished debate, although I do not think that the House was holding its breath when Mr. Savidge was explaining how he was likely to vote—I and all other hon. Members knew in advance.

The motion has undoubtedly aroused a great deal of emotion on both sides of the House because many of us feel intensely about it. We are being asked to make concessions to those to whom we owe nothing at all—indeed, in respect of whom we have a deep sense of contempt and, dare I say it, loathing. Many of us knew the three hon. Members who were murdered. Ian Gow and Tony Berry are two who come to mind, and they are but a tiny number of those who have been murdered in the Province and elsewhere by those for whom the Sinn Fein Members are apologists. It is in no sense surprising that this debate has engendered the emotion and disgust that has been manifest on both sides of the House.