§ 29. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland with a view to preventing the illegal import of arms through the Republic for use by the IRA in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe are in touch with the Government of the Republic of Ireland whenever we believe they are in a position to help prevent supplies of arms to the IRA for use in Northern Ireland. For obvious reasons details must remain confidential.
§ Mr. McMasterI thank my right hon. Friend for his reply but, in view of the publicity which has been given to the "Claudia" affair, the unlikelihood that that ship was carrying only five tons of arms from the Mediterranean, and the fact that the most modern Russian rockets are now being used by the IRA in Northern Ireland, will my right hon. Friend use his maximum efforts to ensure that the border is properly closed to the illegal import of arms into the United Kingdom from Eire?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, Sir.