Vol. 404 No. 1
57 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline, as a matter of urgency and in view of the danger to human life, the action he is taking in respect of reports, confirmed by the RUC that up to 30 photographs of RUC suspects have disappeared, and may be in the hands of terrorists, notwithstanding the extra care in the handling of such photographs which was strongly recommended following the Stevens Inquiry.
This incident raises obvious concerns especially in the light of the allegations earlier this year of collusion between elements within the Northern Ireland security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, which led to the Stevens Inquiry.
As soon as we were aware of it, the incident was raised in the Secretariat in Belfast and a full report was requested from the British authorities. As an initial response, I have received assurances that steps are being taken by the security forces to contact all those whose identities might be revealed by the missing photomontages.
I will keep the situation under active review.
