HC Deb 11 May 1976 vol 911 cc203-4
1. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

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

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Roy Mason)

Army operations continue throughout Northern Ireland in support of the police in the task of combating violence and terrorism. The considerable success of the Security forces' operations is reflected in the high number of persons—over 440 already this year—who have been arrested and charged with serious crimes.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

While wishing to congratulate the security forces on the success of their operations, may I ask the Secretary of State to say something more about the deployment of troops in the Province? Will he give an assurance that the security forces will not be run down to a point at which the police find themselves not only performing their normal duties but being forced into a military rôle?

Mr. Mason

I can give the hon. Gentleman a categorical assurance on the last point he raised. On the first point, there are 14,500 Regular troops serving in Northern Ireland at the moment, and of these, as the hon. Gentleman may well be aware, the Spearhead Battalion was withdrawn a week or so ago. It left a gap in South Armagh, and redeployment has taken place within Northern Ireland in order that we can retain sufficient security forces in the South to combat the violence there.

Mr. Powell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on the United Ulster Unionist Bench welcome the trend towards the concentration of the forces in Northern Ireland in the areas which are more directly threatened and that we would like to see this carried further so that it encourages a larger rôle for the UDR and increased activity in the police?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. I read with great interest the report of his speech in the Army debate. We are not at variance on the points he made. It is absolutely essential that we should step up the rôle of the RUC and also try to recruit more to the UDR. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is giving consideration to the point that the right hon. Gentleman made about more Regulars in the UDR.

Mr. Powell

Thank you.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

While joining in my hon. Friend's tribute to the security forces, may I ask the Secretary of State whether he thinks that after so many years of troubles it might be time for a single director of operations to be appointed to control the security work not only of the Regular Army and the UDR but of the RUC as well?

Mr. Mason

I think the present GOC Northern Ireland—General House—has sufficient forces to be able to carry out precisely the rôle to which the hon. Gentleman referred.

Mr. Townsend

Does the Secretary of State feel that sufficient use is being made of Royal Military Police personnel in the transition from military patrols to police patrols?

Mr. Mason

Yes. As a matter of fact, during the admittedly slow and gradual transition to increasing the primacy of the police, the Royal Military Police are playing a part in the operation.

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