HC Deb 10 July 1980 vol 988 cc739-42
7. Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Fermanagh.

8. Mr. Dunlop

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Castlederg, County Tyrone.

12. Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on border security in Northern Ireland.

17. Mr. McQuade

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

Since I last answered questions in the House on 12 June, 30 people have been charged with criminal offences of a terrorist nature, including five with attempted murder. One person caught red-handed with 600 lb. of explosive and a revolver has been charged with the possession of explosives; and in the Dungannon area, as a result of security force vigilance, over 1,000 lb. of explosives were seized and four people have been charged. The House will be pleased to note that three men have been charged in the Republic under the extra-territorial legislation for their part in the murder of Henry Livingston, an ex-member of the UDR, in County Armagh last March.

Two people died during the period while engaged in terrorist activity. One of these was a hooded man who was shot dead by the police after he and another man had fired at a mobile police patrol in Andersonstown. Another man was killed when a device which it is believed he was planting exploded prematurely. Mrs. Miriam Daly was found callously murdered in her Belfast home.

On the border, especially in County Fermanagh, policing confronts the security forces with exceptional difficulties, because of its extent and nature. It is primarily for the security forces themselves to determine the measures necessary to afford local people protection. The recent closure of several more roads across the border is one such measure. The security forces can take credit for a significant reduction of violence overall in Fermanagh recently, although individual round-the-clock protection is impossible. I am well aware of the concern on this issue, and am watching it closely.

As far as the town of Castlederg is concerned, terrorist activity has been at a low level. There was an attempt on the life of a part-time member of the UDR in May of this year, but I am glad to say that it failed. This was the first major incident in the Castlederg area for two years.

Mr. Goodlad

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that cross-border co-operation is of crucial importance in the Fermanagh area, and is he satisfied that it is adequate?

Mr. Atkins

Yes, Sir, Relations between the RUC and the Gardai are good and there is close co-operation between them. It is also gratifying to note that the authorities in the Republic are implementing the undertaking to the Prime Minister and myself by the Taoiseach some time ago that they would use the cross-border legislation whenever it proved possible.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I propose to call first those hon. Members whose questions are being answered.

Rev. Ian Paisley

What action is the right hon. Gentleman now taking to keep closed the roads that have been closed in Fermanagh, since along these roads the murderers have come, carried out their dastardly deeds, and returned safely to the Irish Republic?

Mr. Atkins

As I said in my original answer, a number of roads have been closed recently. None has been reopened, although in one case a temporary bypass was attempted. Steps have been taken which satisfy the security forces that that bypass is not a security risk.

Mr. McQuade

Are any special precaution to be taken for the 12 July parades?

Mr. Atkins

Yes, the security forces have taken all the precautions which they deem necessary to ensure that the parades in Belfast and elsewhere on Saturday pass off peacefully. These are traditionally occasions and I have every confidence that the security forces know exactly what arrangements to make to ensure that there is no trouble.

Mr. Molyneaux

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we fully support the decision to deploy an Ulster regiment in the frontier area? Is he also aware that it is right and proper that Ulstermen in all branches of the security forces should be permitted and encouraged to play a full part in the defence of Northern Ireland against attacks from another nation?

Mr. Atkins

The deployment of units of the Regular Army is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, but I am glad that the hon. Gentleman supports the use of the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in the Province, and I shall pass the hon. Gentleman's comments on to my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Fitt

The right hon. Gentleman was asked about the Orange parades on Saturday. In the discussions which the right hon. Gentleman had with the leading members of the Orange Order, did he give them an undertaking that in no circumstances would Prince Charles be allowed to marry a Roman Catholic?

Mr. Atkins

No, Sir. I ask the hon. Gentleman to study the written answer that I am giving today to one of his colleagues.

Mr. Kilfedder

Has the right hon. Gentleman referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions a statement by the SDLP councillor, councillor Sweeney, which was virtually an incitement to murder Protestant members of the UDR?

Mr. Atkins

No, Sir. I do not need to refer any of these matters to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This is a matter for the Chief Constable, and I have no doubt that he will take whatever action is necessary.