HC Deb 03 August 1972 vol 842 cc949-52
20. Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in restoring law and order in no-go areas in Northern Ireland; and what his present plans are for a complete solution to this problem.

21. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at what date he now envisages ending the no-go areas in Londonderry and Belfast under both Catholic and Protestant control.

33. Mr. Mather

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions he is giving to the security forces in Northern Ireland to neutralise those districts from which terrorist attacks are launched.

34. Captain Orr

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is now taking towards preventing new no-go areas in Northern Ireland, and in bringing the existing areas back under normal civil jurisdiction.

Mr. Whitelaw

The main answer to all these Questions was seen in the action taken by the Security Forces at 4 a.m. last Monday

Mr. McMaster

I welcome this action, but has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the totally unjustifiable and murderous assault from a semi-no-go area in my constituency yesterday on ordinary workmen in the Sirocco works? There is still a large number of armed IRA terrorists in Northern Ireland living and operating from the no-go areas, as we have seen in the past two or three days. Will he therefore state whether he is to carry out intensive searches followed by a search and destroy policy in order to establish complete peace in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Whitelaw

I hope that my hon. Friend will not now start to go back again on what we have been determined to do—

Mr. McMaster

But people were shot in my constituency yesterday.

Mr. Whitelaw

I will come to that point in a moment. The actions taken last Monday were to put an end to all no-go areas in Northern Ireland, wherever they may be. I am absolutely determined that no-go areas shall not start again. I do not know quite what semi-no-go areas are, but I will not have any of them.

I come to the serious point concerning the action at the Sirocco works yesterday where a gunman fired two shots and, most regrettably, hit, fortunately not seriously, two people working in that works. Immediately that happened I was contacted. I spoke to the GOC, and extra troops were put into the area. Every protection was given to those workers going into and coming from their work. That was done again this morning and it will continue to be done, because it is the duty of the Security Forces to protect the whole community. I am glad to say that as a result of this action the area and the move to work this morning was completely quiet. I hope that that situation will continue. I understand my hon. Friend's concern over this difficult incident, but I hope that it will be appreciated that, while we will do everything we can to find the terrorists and to destroy their capacity, the odd sniper will not be removed overnight. That is why all the protection that can be given by the Security Forces will be given.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

I warmly congratulate my right hon. Friend on the action that has been taken. Will he also congratulate the armed forces, particularly the command over there, on the efficiency and speed and the lack of loss of life with which the operation was carried out? It was a most highly commendable operation. Will he confirm that the forces will stay in these no-go areas for as long as necessary and that he will make every effort to stop and apprehend, where necessary, those IRA members who have escaped over the border but who will wish to return to carry on their nefarious operations?

Mr. Whitelaw

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for saying, as my hon. Friend said in my absence on Monday, how much we admire the military operation undertaken on that day. I saw it at first hand and it gave me an opportunity to realise how very much the Army had progressed in the 20 or so years since I was in it. It was a magnificently planned operation in every way. It was vitally important in the Government's judgment that the operation be carried out with the absolute minimum of casualties and that was why the warning was given the previous night. I believe also that because of the various actions taken over a period, the great danger of the civilian population taking to the streets, which could have caused casualties, was avoided. That was a significant factor in the way in which the operation was carried out.

Mr. Edward Short

May I make a practical suggestion for restoring confidence among the people of Derry? The Secretary of State will be aware of the treatment of Magee College by the new University of Ulster by which this college is to become an extra-mural college. That has caused very great resentment in Derry. Will the Secretary of State consult the new University and, if it is not possible to retain the college as a university college affiliated to the university, see whether a polytechnic can be established there? That would be extremely useful to the economic development of Derry and it would help to restore confidence among the people of Derry in the Government's good faith.

Mr. Whitelaw

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman and I am hopeful—and I believe it will be possible—that Magee will continue as a constituent part of the new university.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am sorry, but I cannot allow more supplementaries on this Question. We must turn to Questions to the Prime Minister.

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