§ 8. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the armed forces in Northern Ireland in 1978, 1979 and 1980, respectively.
§ Mr. GoodhartThe estimated extra costs of military operations in Northern Ireland for the past three years are:—
£ million 1978–79 81 1979–80 96 1980–81 111
§ Mr. FlanneryThe Minister has carefully refrained from answering my question, which asked for the total cost and not the extra or additional costs. I have not received a proper answer because this matter seems to be a sacred cow. The Minister should give me a proper answer to the question. What is the total cost?
§ Mr. GoodhartI was under the impression that the hon. Gentleman wanted to know the extra cost. The cost of paying, feeding and clothing the units in Northern Ireland would be the same whether they were in Northern Ireland or anywhere else.
§ Mr. FlanneryOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As my question has, deliberately, not been answered—
§ Mr. SpeakerBefore the hon. Gentleman puts his point of order, I should point out that he will stop anyone else from asking a supplementary question if he gives notice now that he intends to raise the matter on the Adjournment. He can make his point of order in a moment.
Mr. J. Enoch PowellIs it not clear from the Minister's reply that the cost of maintaining in Northern Ireland a part of our necessary total forces is extremely small in relation to the total cost or our defence preparations?
§ Mr. GoodhartThat is so. Most people would agree that a national army gives infinitely better protection to the people of Northern Ireland than would private armies.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerDoes my hon. Friend agree that while there may have been some doubts about the wisdom of sending in the troops in the first place, successive Governments have shown clearly that there is a commitment to maintain policing in Northern Ireland and to sustain it?
§ Mr. Goodhart" That is so.
§ Mr. FlanneryOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory answer—it was no answer to the question that I asked—I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for the way in which he has waited to make his point of order.