HC Deb 22 January 1976 vol 903 cc1524-5

6. Mr. Hooley asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contingency plans are being worked out for the phased withdrawal of military forces from Northern Ireland in the context of a political settlement.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

As I announced to the House on 12th January, I am examining with ministerial colleagues from other Departments the action and resources required for the next few years to maintain law and order in Northern Ireland with the aim of achieving the primacy of the police.—[Vol. 903, c. 57.]

Mr. Hooley

Assuming that there can be some progress towards a political settlement—which is a large assumption in view of the mentality that seems to prevail in Northern Ireland—would it not be sensible to envisage the association of the forces of some friendly Powers with the British Army to relieve it of some of the burden of the odious task it now has to perform?

Mr. Rees

It is not a task that can be done by friendly Powers. Northern Ireland is not like the Gaza Strip. It is a question of policing. I do not believe that anyone else could have done what the British Army has done in the last five years so calmly. I see it on a day-to-day basis, and I do not say that out of false patriotism. It is our responsibility, and we must carry out the task. It would be wrong to give any sign that we were shuffling off that responsibility.

Mr. Neave

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer has the full support of the official Opposition? Is he also aware that any suggestion of a phased withdrawal at present would cause dangerous tensions, would not lead to a political settlement, and would not prevent civil war?

Mr. Rees

The subject of a phased withdrawal is not involved. What we must think about and not leave to chance is a return to the primacy of the police in a civil situation. I have paid my tribute to the Army. The fact that the Army takes the lead—I am glad it does—as it has to means that the police lose a certain amount of leadership. It is important that the police should get back that leadership. It is not a question of withdrawing the Army in the sense in which that phrase is sometimes used. We have to get back to the primacy of the police.