HC Deb 13 January 1977 vol 923 cc1630-1
13. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were killed and injured as a result of criminal activity in Northern Ireland during 1976.

Mr. Mason

A total of 296 people were killed and 2,632 injured in Northern Ireland in 1976 as a direct result of the disturbances.

Mr. Hardy

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House what is the running total of sectarian murders during the 1970s? Does he consider that the leaders of Northern Ireland opinion are sufficiently willing to condemn sectarian violence, no matter from which side of the sectarian divide it originates?

Mr. Mason

There are always included in the figures quite a number of sectarian and inter-factional killings committed by the extremists and the far ends of the communities in Northern Ireland. The figures for sectarian and inter-factional assassinations are as follows: in 1972 there were 122; in 1973 there were 87; in 1974 there were 95; in 1975 there were 144; and in 1976 there were 120.

Mr. Townsend

Will the Secretary of State say what political constraints there are on the security forces in regard to the number of random checks, house checks, cordon searches and searches carried out in Northern Ireland in pursuit of terrorists?

Mr. Mason

There are no political restraints on the operations of Her Majesty's security forces, but they have to recognise, as does everyone else in Northern Ireland, that they have to operate within the law.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

I welcome the increasing success of the RUC, evidenced by the figures that the Secretary of State gave earlier of arrests and charges. I recognise the statistical difficulty, but is it possible for him to give more information to the House and the country about convictions and sentences?

Mr. Mason

I shall certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's request and see how best I can furnish the information in the Official Report or other media. I am always prepared to give as much information as possible.