§ 20. Mr. Fowlerasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the possible formation of a specialist anti-terrorist unit.
§ Mr. BlakerMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has the major responsibility for measures to counter terrorism in Great Britain: the maintenance of law and order is primarily for the police.
§ Mr. FowlerAccepting that statement from my hon. Friend, and leaving to one side situations like Northern Ireland, may I ask whether it is not clear that the problem of terrorists, like those of urban guerrillas and hijackers, is likely to be with this country for many years to come and indeed within Europe? Is it not therefore a matter of urgency that a specialist section, probably involving consultations, certainly with his Department, should be urgently considered?
§ Mr. BlakerI accept the general point that my hon. Friend made at the start of his question, but there have been no proposals from the Army for a special anti-terrorist unit as such. However, there has been a good deal of contingency planning, with which my Department has been fully associated.
§ Mr. DuffyWould the Minister agree that it is vitally important that the Army does not lend itself to any departure, no matter how well-intentioned, which may amount to an infringement of the well-established frontier of civil/military relations?
§ Mr. BlakerI agree with the hon. Gentleman, and I think that I said as much in our recent debate.