HC Deb 22 June 1954 vol 529 cc211-2
14. Mr. Healy

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now received the finding of the general officer commanding in regard to the raid carried out in Gough Barracks, Armagh, by the Irish Republican Army on 12th June; and whether he is now in a position to make a further statement on the subject.

Mr. Head

Not yet, Sir.

Mr. Healy

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it desirable from both the economic and national point of view that troops in Northern Ireland should be withdrawn and the Irish people thus enabled to settle their differences in a constitutional way? Will he not also consider that another result would be that he could reduce the term of National Service for men serving in this country and overseas?

Mr. Head

The hon. Member had better put that Question on the Order Paper.

15. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the value of the arms removed from Gough Barracks, Armagh, on Saturday, 12th June.

Mr. Head

About£5,000.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Minister say whether the Prudential Assurance Company is refusing to insure barracks in Northern Ireland against burglary? Does he not think that the Northern Ireland police are grossly inefficient and that the way to save British property is to import efficient police from Dublin?

Mr. Head

I am not responsible either for the Prudential or for Dublin.

Mr. Harden

Can the Minister say whether representations have been made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland to have the people who took part in this incident extradited and tried in a court of law?