HC Deb 21 June 1973 vol 858 cc847-50
5. Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement about the current security situation in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Whitelaw

Unfortunately, some violence continues; mainly explosions, although there have been recently some clearly sectarian murders. At the same time, the security forces are achieving important captures of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives. So far this year, 732 terrorists have been charged with security offences.

The security forces will continue to combat violence, whatever its source, and seek to protect the lives and property of the community.

Mr. Molyneaux

Will my right hon. Friend explain the strategy behind the introduction of military police into police stations in trouble-free areas, as distinct from the areas referred to in the previous Question, especially where the RUC reserve is at full strength? Does he agree that this extension of Army involvement into ordinary law enforcement is likely to damage the morale of the RUC at a time when there is pressure on Her Majesty's Government to phase out the Army?

Mr. Whitelaw

I have no evidence that the military police are being used in the circumstances that my hon. Friend suggests. However, wherever the military police are being used, they are under the command of the Chief Constable of the RUC. If my hon. Friend has evidence of specific instances in which this is happening, I shall be pleased to look into it. Our main purpose is to help and supplement the work of the RUC with military police in the difficult areas. That is the purpose of the military police reinforcements.

Mr. Orme

The Secretary of State referred to the continuation of sectarian murders, which is going on on both sides. Will he comment on the unfortunate murder of Mr. Herron's brother-in-law and the feelings of the security forces in this regard? What action is being taken in East Belfast against the intimi- dation, extortion and blackmail that is taking place at the moment?

Mr. Whitelaw

It would be wrong for me to comment on a case that is still under investigation and where police inquiries are still continuing to seek those who may have been responsible for this murder. I could not be expected to comment one way or the other. Intimidation, threats and the rest must be dealt with from wherever they come. Whatever the source, they will be dealt with by the security forces to the best of their ability. The evidence of arrests and what has been done by the security forces in recent months shows that this is exactly the purpose that we have in mind.

Sir Gilbert Longden

Since our admirable security forces cannot be everywhere at once, does not my right hon. Friend think that the time has come when every man in Northern Ireland should be permitted to carry arms to protect his family and himself? So many murderers seem to drive off with impunity from the scene of their crimes that if I were a citizen of Northern Ireland I should be sorely tempted to carry a gun by day and night, whatever the law might say.

Mr. Whitelaw

I can see the attractions from the individual's point of view, but my whole desire and determination is to reduce the number of arms about the place in Northern Ireland. Legally held arms under licence are comparatively few in number. We have taken action on this. Illegal arms are another matter, and they will be dealt with ruthlessly wherever they are found to be held, because the damage that a vast number of illegal arms can do is intolerable.

Mr. Stonehouse

There will be widespread support on both sides of the House for what the right hon. Gentleman has just said. Can he throw any further light on steps that he intends to take in the future to get access to illegal arms held by various factions of the IRA, and now by various factions of the UDA? Will he consider a house-to-house search in certain parts of Belfast?

Mr. Whitelaw

In general terms the right hon. Gentleman asks me to throw more light on further measures that might be taken. If I were to do that it could be counter-productive. The information that we are receiving from the general public through the robot-phone that we have and in many other ways is increasing all the time. The fact that people are prepared to come forward with information is extremely encouraging. Whenever that information seems well founded, searches are undertaken, and considerable successes have been gained on the basis of information. However, neither the right hon. Gentleman nor the House will expect me to go into detail on this matter.