Border Security (Hansard, 15 November 1973)

§ 8. Mr. Maginnis
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on border security following the recent incidents on the 652 Armagh border at Bessbrook, Newtownhamilton and Crossmaglen.

§ Mr. David Howell
The security forces take all practicable steps to counter the activities of terrorists in border areas, including increasing co-operation with security forces in the South. Additional measures are being taken; a number of unapproved roads have been closed with the full co-operation of those immediately concerned in the area.

§ Mr. Maginnis
Does my hon. Friend agree that the essential element in controlling terrorist activity in Northern Ireland is to have a strong force on the border? Will he give the House an assurance that border security will be stepped up so that people living in these areas, especially in South Armagh, will have the full protection of the law? Will he also give an assurance that the Ulster Defence Regiment will be made much better use of in future than in the past?

§ Mr. Howell
It is true, as my hon. Friend says, that the border situation is one important factor in the overall security situation. When it comes to deployment of security forces I think he will recognise that the more there are on the border the fewer there are in the cities. It may well be that a view has to be taken overall about the best way in which the security forces can be distributed. I fully concur that the Ulster Defence Regiment is doing a valuable job. Constant support and encouragement is given to it because we believe that it has an essential part to play in the overall security effort.

§ Sir P. Bryan
Does the increase in incidents indicate any deterioration in the military intelligence available to our forces?

§ Mr. Howell
I do not want to comment on intelligence as such. The general point that is commented upon is that, as successes have increased in city areas, inevitably there has been a movement towards trying to make more trouble in the border areas to draw the troops away. This is believed to be one of the strategies. Moving troops to the border areas in a massive way would be responding to what the terrorists want.

§ Mr. Kilfedder
In view of the increased activity by terrorists along the border areas, may I ask why the Government have withdrawn 1,200 soldiers from Northern Ireland and, I understand, are to withdraw an additional 600 before the end of the year? Why are they not used on the border area?

§ Mr. Howell
The requirements of troops are kept under continuous review in the light of the security situation. There has been increased terrorist activity on the border area, but in the last few days we have also seen vicious terrorism in Belfast of a particularly unpleasant kind. This, too, has to be reckoned with.