HC Deb 10 February 1983 vol 36 cc1134-6
8. Mr. Farr

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

Mr. Prior

Since I last answered questions on 23 December eight people have died in incidents arising from the security situation in the Province.

On 6 January two policemen were shot dead and another was seriously injured in Rostrevor, Co. Down, while on 18 January a part-time member of the RUC reserve was murdered in front of his wife in Londonderry. The House will be aware that on 16 January Judge William Doyle was shot dead as he left a church in South Belfast; an elderly lady was injured in the same attack. The Provisional IRA has claimed responsibility for all these brutal crimes.

Of the four others who died, two were shot dead by the security forces following armed robberies in Belfast on 27 December and 19 January. Two accomplices were arrested after the latter incident. The body of a murdered man was found in Belfast on 8 January. Finally, on 2 February, a man was killed and another wounded during a struggle with a soldier in Londonderry. A pistol and an M1 carbine were later found in the vicinity.

I can assure the House that the security forces remain vigilant and determined to carry out their duties on behalf of all the people of the Province.

So far this year 68 persons have been charged with terrorist type offences, including four with murder and four with attempted murder. 31 weapons, 19,938 rounds of ammunition together with 146 lbs of explosives have been recovered.

Mr. Farr

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the thanks of the House go out to those security forces who are doing such a splendid job in difficult circumstances? Can he assure the House that cross-border co-operation with the Republic is continuing? Can he comment on last night's stealing of Shergar and the fact that it is reported that the horse is in Northern Ireland and has been abducted by the Provisional IRA?

Mr. Prior

It is still too early to say what lies behind the kidnapping of Shergar, but I understand that the Republic's police have not yet ruled out terrorist involvement. It has been discovered that the horse-box that was used was stolen from South Armagh, so it is possible that the horse is in Northern Ireland. Neither I nor anyone else knows at this stage. We are satisfied that cross-border security co-operation is continuing at a high level.

I am of course grateful, and I join my hon. Friend, as I am sure the House does, in what he has said about the security forces.

Mr. William Ross

We all rejoice in Northern Ireland at the increasing strength of the RUC. However, how many of the extra men who have been recruited over the past few years are now carrying out duties formerly performed by Army personnel?

Mr. Prior

I cannot give the exact details of strength requested by the hon. Gentleman. I am not certain that it would be in the interests of the security operation to do so. It is part of the Government's policy that, as the strength of the police force increases, that of the Army should be reduced wherever possible. That is absolutely right both for Northern Ireland and for the Army.

Mr. Stephen Ross

In view of the ghastly murder of Judge Doyle, should not those who administer justice in Northern Ireland be given protection if they so require? Is it not vital that, even if they request not to be given that protection, it should be given anyway?

Mr. Prior

I urge all those who are offered protection and who are considered to be risks to accept that protection. They have a duty to society to put up with that protection, however onerous it may be from time to time. The RUC is available to give advice to anyone who believes that he requires it.

Mr. Wilkinson

Will my right hon. Friend enlighten the House on the personal background of the two who were involved in the clash with the Army in Londonderry on 2 February, one of whom was killed and the other of whom was wounded? Is there any sign of progress in getting extradition of wanted criminals from the Republic of Ireland to stand trial in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Prior

I again drew the latter point to the attention of the Government of the Republic when the Foreign Minister came to see me the other day. It was claimed that one of the two shot in Londonderry a little while ago was a member of the INLA on active service. I have no further information that I can give to the House, but a report is being prepared and will be considered in due course both by the RUC and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr. Fitt

Has it been drawn to the Secretary of State's attention that in the week following the brutal murder of Judge William Doyle it was reported in the Republican newspaper The Republican News, that the IRA claimed responsibility and boasted how its men were dressed in the appropriate gear to go to that chapel in a middle class area and carry out that atrocious murder? Has it been drawn to the Secretary of State's attention that since then, on television, one of the IRA's spokesmen who was elected to Stormont in the recent Assembly elections said that Judge William Doyle was a legitimate target on the ground that he supported the police, the UDR, the Army and the judicial system? If we are to follow that line of reasoning, the majority community and a large section of the Catholic community in Northern Ireland will fear that they are legitimate targets.

Mr. Prior

That illustrates the problem in Northern Ireland of dealing with a small number of terrorists who are out to murder. Reports reached me that after the murder of Judge Doyle there were celebration parties in parts of west Belfast that night. How can one have anything more barbaric and disgraceful than that?

Mr. Peter Robinson

Does the Secretary of State accept that there is still widespread dissatisfaction with his security policy for Northern Ireland? Is he aware that that widespread dissatisfaction has reached such a level that the Police Federation of Northern Ireland is examining whether to put a case before the European Court of Human Rights against the policy because it is endangering; the lives of its members?

Mr. Prior

That has not been drawn to my attention. I hope that the Police Federation will consider its attitude carefully before it takes such action, because I do not believe that that would be consistent with loyalty to the police force, to the Government, or to the task that it is asked to perform. However, no one will be satisfied with security in Northern Ireland until all terrorism has ended. We shall continue every effort to reach that conclusion.

Mr. Concannon

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Opposition deplore deaths in Northern Ireland, however they happen? They are a sheer waste of human life and are unnecessary. Will the Secretary of State give us the figures for the use of baton rounds in the past week or month? Is their use under political control? Is their lack of use due to political intervention or to the fact that, purely and simply, there have not been riots on the streets of Belfast or Londonderry—riots that have much more sinister connotations than riots in the rest of the United Kingdom? If there are no riots, the baton rounds do not have to be used.

Mr. Prior

If there are no riots there is no need to use baton rounds. However, one must remember that in the Northern Ireland context rioting is often used as a means of protecting men who are armed and shooting at the security forces. Therefore, the problem in Northern Ireland is different from those in the rest of the United Kingdom. So far we have not found a suitable alternative to the plastic baton round, but I repeat that if there are no riots, there is no need for baton rounds. In fact, since 1 September last year, in other words for over four and a half months, only 19 baton rounds have been fired. I think that I am right in saying that only one has been fired since the beginning of this year.