HC Deb 07 December 1978 vol 959 cc1606-7
9. Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many bombs have been defused by the security services and how many explosions have occurred in Northern Ireland since 9th November 1978; and how many exploded or were defused in the four-week period prior to that date.

Mr. Mason

In the four weeks from 12th October to 9th November, there were 35 explosions, and five devices were neutralised in Northern Ireland. Since then 80 explosions have been recorded and 19 devices neutralised.

Mr. Litterick

I am grateful for that reply. In view of his assertion on 9th November, which was confirmed a week later by the Under-Secretary of State, that the security forces had the provisional IRA beaten, does the Secretary of State agree that it would be inadvisable if there were over-reaction by the security forces in response to the new outburst of violence? Does he agree that the emphasis should be political, economic and social?

Mr. Mason

My hon. Friend is obviously a headliner-reader. We have never used the words"the Provisional IRA are beaten." We have never used the word"victory ". We always talk about"making progress"in Northern Ireland. We have been making progress in the defeat of terrorism in the Province.

We have also been making progress on the economic front, as instanced by the replies that I gave earlier. I am hoping to make progress on the political front if the political parties will be co-operative.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Since hope of success sustains the Provisional IRA, and since there is reason to believe that the outrages which are the subject of this Question were for the encouragement of the continued filthy tactics in H block, is the right hon. Member aware that we accept his assurance that there will be no yielding and no amnesty? We offer our sympathy and respect to the Northern Ireland prison service.

Mr. Mason

I can assure the House that there will be no return to special category status and that the Maze protestors will not be recognised. Hon. Members can rest assured—and I hope that the Opposition reaffirm this—that there will be no amnesty for those prisoners.