HC Deb 09 March 1976 vol 907 cc228-9
4. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the operation of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army (Mr. Robert C. Brown)

Operations throughout Northern Ireland continue to be related to the level of violence which occurs and are meeting with considerable success. Already this year over 200 people arrested by the security forces have been charged with serious terrorist offences, and there have been a number of good finds of terrorists' arms, ammunition and explosive material.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

I welcome the success of our security forces, but will the Minister say why the IRA was able to bring its vehicles so close to Alder-grove Airport in the recent mortar attack, and what special steps he is implementing to increase the security cordon round the airport to ensure that such an attack cannot again be made?

Mr. Brown

As soon as the lorry used to launch the mortars was discovered abandoned in the vicinity of the airport, the necessary precautions were instituted. They were, however, hampered by anonymous warnings of bombs elsewhere in the airport precincts. I am satisfied that efficient action was taken by the security forces.

Mr. Powell

In view of the lack of success of the armed forces in capturing or destroying the IRA operating in the south of the Province, will the Secretary of State invite the Commander-in-Chief to submit to him a renewed appreciation of the military situation in Northern Ireland, with particular reference both to the object and to the method paragraphs?

Mr. Brown

The right hon. Gentleman is clearly alluding to operations in Armagh. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12th January gave the House an indication of the strengthening of the security forces and the stepping up of security force activities in these areas. It is fair to say that these measures have increased the operational effectiveness of the security forces and the protection offered to the people in the area. No doubt my right hon. Friend will have noted what the right hon. Gentleman said.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Reverting to the supplementary question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson), can the right hon. Gentleman refute the damaging allegation from Democratic Unionist Party sources that there was lengthy warning of the mortar attack on Aldergrove Airport?

Mr. Brown

We have been aware for some time of a general threat but not of any specific threat which would have warranted the closing-off of the airport.