Security (Hansard, 28 January 1982)

§ 6. Mr. Molyneaux
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation.

§ 18. Mr. Kilfedder
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about security.

§ Mr. Prior
Since I last answered questions on 3 December there have been seven deaths associated with terrorism, one of them a member of the security forces. A small number of others have been injured, some seriously. There were no deaths caused by terrorists in December, the first such month for 10 years.
The House will wish to congratulate the security forces on their hard work and dedication. Since 3 December, 99 people have been charged with terrorist-type offences. In 1981, 918 persons were charged, including 48 with murder and 72 with attempted murder. This is the highest number charged in any year since 1977. Finds of firearms, ammunition and explosives were all higher in 1981 than in 1980. In the case of explosives, more were found in 1981 than in any year since 1976. Terrorists still present a serious threat, and we must keep up the pressure aimed at bringing them to justice before the courts.

§ Mr. Molyneaux
The Under-Secretary of State said in the House on 15 December that the Secretary of State had vigorously met the security challenge by introducing the spearhead battalion. On that same day the Secretary of State assured my hon. Friend the Member for Londonderry (Mr. Ross) that the spearhead battalion would not be withdrawn for the time being. What has happened in the interval of five weeks to reverse that decision and to cause the withdrawal of the spearhead battalion, unless it is intended that it should be replaced by something equally effective?

§ Mr. Prior
The GOC and the Chief Constable told me that they believed that the spearhead battalion was no longer required. It is available to return at short notice if needed, but, as the House knows, we have in many ways strengthened the operations of the Ulster Defence Regiment during the intervening period and the numbers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary are being steadily increased.
However, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that if at any time the presence of the spearhead battalion is requested—the name "spearhead" suggests that it should come in and go out again—or if I believe that there is a need for it, the battalion will go back.

Mr. Kelfedder
It is right that the security forces should be constantly congratulated on their courage and their success, but does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the figures that he has given will bring no comfort to those who have been mutilated or to the relatives of those who have been murdered by the IRA in its vicious campaign of sectarian violence, which is still continuing, especially along the border? Can we now have sufficient military activity along the border to wipe out the thugs?

§ Mr. Prior
There is a constant need to improve the policing of the border areas. I hope that further progress can be made on that. Some of the murders that I reported in my statement this afternoon were what one might term the results of internecine warfare and were not directly related to anything else.

§ Mr. Fitt
Does the Secretary of State recognise that it is essential that those who are charged with terrorist offences should be brought before the courts and either convicted or exonerated at the earliest possible moment?
Is the Secretary of State aware of a particular case that exists, whereby an RUC special branch detective was charged with the murder of art RUC sergeant in Cushendall in county Antrim and that other policemen, who were named in a deposition when the matter was first brought before the courts, are still on duty after it was said in the courts that they were acting in collusion with terrorists? Will the Secretary of State inquire into the circumstances of an acceptance that policemen who have been named as acting in collusion with terrorists in Northern Ireland, whoever the terrorists may be, can remain on duty?

§ Mr. Prior
I shall certainly consider the point that the hon. Gentleman raises. The period between charges being brought and cases being heard is far too long. We must do everything that we can to reduce that period, which is a continuing worry to me.

§ Mr. Dickens
Can the Secretary of State think of any circumstances whereby the British Army might be completely withdrawn from Northern Ireland within the next few years, as that is the ultimate wish in the minds of many British people?

§ Mr. Prior
I would have thought that for as long as Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom it would always be right that some troops should be stationed there. However, I hope that by increased political responsibility that is acceptable to the community as a whole—that is important—the amount of terrorism and violence would be so reduced that the Province could be left in the safe hands of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

§ Mr. Concannon
Why are troop dispositions for Northern Ireland bandied about in the press? We know the psychology of certain people tin Northern Ireland and one can see that only as an open invitation to them. Does the Secretary of State agree that it would be better if those matters were not bandied about, either here or in the press?

§ Mr. Prior
I agree entirely with that. It is remarkable that the news about the spearhead battalion leaving Northern Ireland seems to have reached the press this morning. It would be better if the spearhead battalion could enter and leave Northern Ireland without anyone being aware of it, except the terrorists.