IN Britain, for most of the past 30 years, terrorist threats have been with us, courtesy of the IRA.

There have been atrocities. Yet, the way we have gone about our lives has been unaffected.

Today, in the aftermath of the Bali bombing, it is apparent that the biggest threat to Britain comes from international terrorists who view any Western country as their enemy.

While it is important that this new threat is not understated, it is equally important that we continue to go about our normal everyday lives as much as possible.

To do otherwise is to do the terrorists' job for them.

There is a balance to be struck between vigilance and freedom.

On occasions, the Government will find it difficult to find that balance.

Our intelligence services will be inundated with reports of potential terrorist activities. It is nonsense to expect the public to be privy to all such information.

But where there is a specific threat to a known target, then the Government has a duty to release such information so that adequate precautions can be taken.

There can be no absolute protection against terrorists prepared to put their own lives on the line.

We can, however, expect any risks to be kept to an absolute minimum.

Time for the truth, at last

IT is nearly 50 years since Ronald Maddison was killed at the Porton Down research centre.

The 20-year-old airman lost his life not in combat, but as the result of a chemical weapons experiment.

His death has been made even more tragic by the secrecy which has surrounded the tragic event at Porton Down.

Yesterday the High Court took the just decision to order a new inquest.

Fifty years ago there may have been reasons for the Ministry of Defence's reluctance to divulge information. Today there can be no excuse.

Ronald Maddison died while serving his country. The very least his family deserve are replies to questions which have been left unanswered for half a century.