HC Deb 18 June 1981 vol 6 cc1170-1
10. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will introduce the necessary legislation to enable him to impose martial law in Northern Ireland, in view of the security situation and the need to eliminate intimidation by terrorism.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

No, Sir. I remain convinced that the most effective policy is for the RUC to make arrests, and to secure convictions in open court on the basis of effective evidence. The only beneficiaries of any other course of action would be the violent criminals who wish to see an end to democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Mr. Winterton

I am sure that my right hon. Friend is aware that I am not surprised at his response. Will he confirm that the number of security personnel killed so far this year is more than the total killed in the previous 12 months? Does he agree that while violence and terrorism may be confined to certain areas of the Province, it would be a good thing to allow security personnel to carry out the job for which they are trained, in order to root out the terrorists so that the people of the Province may live peacefully within the United Kingdom? Does he agree that the security personnel, unhindered by the media and others, could do that if there were martial law?

Mr. Atkins

I must correct my hon. Friend on one point. The number of members of the security forces killed up to the end of May was not, as he suggested, more than the number killed in the whole of last year. It is, however, two or three more than the total for the same period last year, which is a matter of great regret to us all. What we all wish to do is to enable the security forces to keep the Queen's peace. I do not believe that the imposition of martial law, which in any case would require primary legislation in this House, is the best way to do that.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind that he has the overwhelming support of the general public in rejecting the views of the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and my hon. Friend, the Member of Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Brown)? Is he further aware that the Government's proposal concerning those who have been convicted of crimes associated with the murder of British Service men will also receive the overwhelming support of the British people?

Mr. Atkins

Yes, Sir. I am grateful for what the hon. Gentleman has said. The course upon which we are embarked, and which British Governments have pursued for some years, is not spectacular. Unhappily, it does not produce results as quickly as everybody in the House would like, but it is producing the results and that is what matters.

Mr. Adley

I entirely support my right hon. Friend in the answer that he has just given. Does he agree that the way in which the security forces carry out their duties is a matter of pride rather than shame and is something for which all hon. Members have cause to be thankful? Is he aware of any other country in the free world, let alone autocracies, where in the face of arson, riot and murder the security forces use plastic bullets?

Mr. Atkins

The entire House will agree with my hon. Friend. We are very well served by our security forces, whether they are members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary or of the Army. They do a magnificent job under the most severe difficulties. What impresses us, perhaps more than anything else, is the restraint that they show in the face of the most severe provocation. That is all part of the policy—which I am sure is right and which the House will support—of controlling violence, rioting and so on with the minimum—not the maximum—of force.