Security

HC Deb 27 May 1982 vol 24 cc1038-40

2. Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will report progress on the eradication of terrorism.

13. Mr. Latham

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

15. Mr. Stanbrook

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

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. James Prior)

Since I last answered questions on 29 April three members of the security forces and two civilians have died as a result of terrorist activity. On 30 April a soldier was killed in an explosion near Belleek in County Fermanagh when his patrol was attacked. On 4 May a policeman was shot dead while on foot patrol in Londonderry and a woman constable was badly wounded in the same attack. On 24 May a soldier in Londonderry died after being run over by an armoured vehicle which had been set on fire with petrol bombs. I draw particular attention to this incident because it seems that the attackers were children. One civilian was shot dead and two others were injured on 12 May when gunmen opened fire on the staff of a greengrocers shop in Belfast. The same day a former member of the UDR was shot dead in Strabane.

Other members of the security forces have also been injured, some seriously. A number of civilians have also been injured, including 11 in so-called punishment shootings.

I am pleased to inform the House that the security forces have continued to meet and counter the terrorists' challenge with their usual determination and vigour. Since 29 April 27 weapons and 2,899 rounds of ammunition have been recovered by the security forces, 57 persons have been charged with terrorist-type offences, including eight with murder and seven with attempted murder. In the same period the security forces neutralised 14 bombs.

Mr. Molyneaux

Does the Secretary of State agree that cranks who agitate for a ban on plastic bullets should get their priorities right and demand an end to the use of petrol bombs, which have caused inhuman injuries and deaths to members of the security forces?

Mr. Prior

There is another question on the Order Paper about plastic baton rounds, and I shall answer that later. In general I agree with the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Latham

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, although the thoughts of all United Kingdom citizens are with our task force, the patient and brave work of our security forces continues unabated to deal with and extirpate the evils of terrorism in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Prior

Yes, Sir. I am grateful for what my hon. Friend said, and I endorse every word of it.

Mr. Stanbrook

Can my right hon. Friend give any good reason, other than hostility to Britain, for the Irish Republic not signing the European convention on the prevention of terrorism?

Mr. Prior

I noticed that my hon. Friend raised that subject with my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General the other day. The question was answered then. There is a continuing improvement in the co-operation of security across the border and in some of the actions that have recently been taken on legislation passed by the Government of the Republic, but there is a good deal more to be done.

Mr. Kilfedder

Since the political objectives of the Dublin Government are indistinguishable from the IRA's aims—one reason why terrorism has lasted for 13 years—will the Government abandon the joint talks with Dublin, because they appear to the northern Ulster people to be an erosion of the link with the rest of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Prior

I do not accept that, but I accept that the IRA is as big a menace, if not bigger, to a democratic Government in the south as it is to any Government in the North.

Rev. Ian Paisley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the deep revulsion in Northern Ireland this morning at the announcement that a self-confessed member of the INLA, who has admitted 10 charges of armed robbery, hijacking, possession of guns and membership of the INLA, received a suspended sentence from the court yesterday?

Mr. Prior

I have had no notice of that episode, but I have great confidence in the Northern Ireland courts.

Mr. William Ross

Will the Secretary of State condemn the junior savages who, aping their mentors, petrol bombed an army vehicle to such an extent that a young soldier in it was killed?

Mr. Prior

That was a disgraceful incident and, of course, I condemn it. The answer is for parents to keep young people away from those incidents, of which there have been all too many recently in Londonderry.

Mr. Stokes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I understand on good authority that since the start of the Falklands crisis there has been in other parts of the United Kingdom, apart from Northern Ireland, a marked reduction in crime? Has there been a similar reduction in terrorism in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Prior

I do not have statistics to that effect, but the loyalty of the Northern Ireland people to the Government's attitude and the United Kingdom has not been exceeded anywhere in the last few weeks.

Mr. Concannon

The Opposition would like to express sympathy to all those who have suffered as a result of the recent injuries, deaths and murders in Northern Ireland. Is the Secretary of State aware that our sympathy extends in particular to the relatives of the young soldier killed by young bomb throwers? Does the Secretary of State accept that we welcome his decision to hold an inquiry into the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act, which inquiry we have advocated for a number of years? Does he agree that such an inquiry may help to eradicate terrorism and should therefore be held as soon as possible?

Mr. Prior

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. It is important that the review of the Act should take account of the recent conclusions of Lord Jellicoe's review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act. We hope that it will be near completion before we establish our review body, which has been warmly welcomed by security chiefs in Northern Ireland.