Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Bill

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for taking another intervention—it will be quick. He really needs to clarify the inconsistency of his approach in recent weeks. We are being asked to approve terrorism legislation that will extend part VII for at least two years, and perhaps another year on top of that, on the basis that the security situation, as determined at the present time, makes the provisions ““necessary””. How can he reconcile a Bill that we are being asked to pass on that assessment with the facts that he has already indicated that Sinn Fein’s allowances will be returned in the Assembly, that he will recommend in a few weeks that Sinn Fein Members’ allowances in this House should be returned, and that Royal Irish Regiment home battalions should be disbanded? Before we go any further, will he reconcile the two irreconcilable points of view that are coming out of the Northern Ireland Office?