HC Deb 17 June 1980 vol 986 cc1323-4
8. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the support given by Her Majesty's Armed Forces to the civil power in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Hayhoe

Her Majesty's Armed Forces continue to support the civil power in the fight against terrorism in Northern Ireland. Members of all three Regular Services and of the Ulster Defence Regiment assist the Royal Ulster Constabulary throughout the Province in a wide range of tasks.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Has not the reduction of Regulars further added to the importance of the Ulster Defence Regiment? Has my hon. Friend considered the representations made against the closure of certain UDR bases as detracting from the essential local character of the regiment?

Mr. Hayhoe

The increased contribution made by the Ulster Defence Regiment was taken into account in making the reduction. A further 350 men from the Ulster Defence Regiment are available to be deployed on operational duties, partly as a result of the closure of those five bases.

Mr. Molyneaux

Will the Minister accept that I wholly support the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison)? However, can the Minister assure the House that every encouragement will be given to the Army to fake all necessary steps to defend the frontier region of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Hayhoe

Yes, indeed. I am absolutely satisfied that those force changes will not in any way reduce the fight against terrorism, which will continue unabated.

Mr. Kilfedder

Despite what the Minister says, is it not scandalous further to reduce the strength of the Regular Army in Northern Ireland, when the Provisional IRA continues to pursue its bloody cam- paign of terror and murder? Is it not time to increase the strength of the Army in Northern Ireland so that the movement of Provisional IRA terrorists across the border can be stopped and lives saved?

Mr. Hayhoe

I do not believe that it is scandalous in any way. It has always been the Government's intention that no more troops should be diverted from their main NATO role than was absolutely necessary, and the changes were foreshadowed in this year's White Paper. Another factor taken into account was the increasing strength and capability of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which will be welcomed in all parts of the House.