HC Deb 26 April 1984 vol 58 cc867-70
3. Mr. Andrew Mackay

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on cross-border security.

17. Mr. Molyneaux

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

Mr. Prior

Since I last answered questions on 22 March there have been seven deaths in incidents arising from the security situation in the Province. In Belfast, the daughter of a resident magistrate was shot dead when her father was shot and seriously wounded; a police constable and a housewife were killed by a bomb which exploded outside a house; and a man was shot dead by two men who forced their way into his house. In Londonderry a man was killed by an incendiary device and a soldier was shot dead during an attack on an Army patrol. Another soldier was killed by a bomb while travelling along the Londonderry-Limavady road.

The security forces continue vigorously to combat terrorism throughout the Province, and since 22 March 38 people have been charged with terrorist offences. Effective co-operation between the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Garda continues to play a vital role in preventing and detecting terrorists' activities, particularly in border areas.

It is essential that the Chief Constable should have the resources necessary to meet the Royal Ulster Constabulary's difficult but vital task. To that end I have recently approved a request by the Chief Constable, supported by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, for additional manpower for the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The authorised establishments of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the full-time reserve have each been increased by 250, raising them respectively to 8,250 and 2,750.

Mr. MacKay

Bearing in mind the acknowledged close links between the IRA and the Libyan regime, and the most unfortunate remarks of the Republic's Foreign Minister during the siege of the embassy in St. James' Square, will my right hon. Friend assure the House that we shall be even more vigilant over security in the Province during the next few months?

Mr. Prior

I assure the House that we shall be as vigilant as ever. Indeed, I do not think that we can be more vigilant. However, as far as any connection between Libya and the IRA is concerned, I hope that that incident will bring home to people in this country, and particularly perhaps to countries and friends abroad, the true nature of terrorism in Northern Ireland as well as in other parts of the world.

Mr. Molyneaux

Will the Secretary of State encourage the commanders of the security forces in Northern Ireland to take more effective measures to combat the new form of incendiary attack on patrolling vehicles, which is designed to burn alive the occupants or, if possible, to shoot them if they attempt to bale out?

Mr. Prior

Yes, Sir. We are very concerned about the new methods that are being used, particularly the use of large petrol bombs to soak vehicles. We have that very much in mind. However, it clearly shows the difficulties that the security forces face, particularly in Londonderry at present.

Mr. Peter Robinson

Will the Secretary of State support the proposal to reduce further the number of roads between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland which are used as escape routes by terrorists?

Mr. Prior

We have to recognise that it is no good closing roads and so-called escape routes unless they remain closed and can be kept firmly closed. If the local population is not prepared to support that, it simply will not work. However, in other respects, just under half of the roads between the North and the South are closed. Of course, we shall put forward proposals for other closures if we believe that that is the right thing to do.

Mr. Stephen Ross

Will the Secretary of State assure us that those who have the courage to adjudicate on the benches and within the judiciary of Northern Ireland, particularly those of the Roman Catholic faith, will accept greater protective measures than they have apparently done so far? A judge and a magistrate's daughter have been murdered outside the same Roman Catholic church in Belfast.

Mr. Prior

Protection for the judiciary and for people, such as resident magistrates, is kept firmly under review. Advice is given to people who do not perhaps wish to have full-time protection. However, on behalf of the whole House, I pay tribute to members of the judiciary in Northern Ireland who have to suffer deprivations of personal freedom in order to ensure that the personal freedoms of others are protected. We shall certainly do all that we can. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he has said.

Sir Antony Buck

With regard to cross-border security, is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the arrangements that have been made with the South about hot pursuit and so on?

Mr. Prior

As my hon. and learned Friend will know, the question of hot pursuit has been a very hot potato for a long time. However, arrangements and co-operation between the Garda and the RUC and the security forces are generally very good. Nevertheless, they can always be improved, and we are constantly trying to make them better.

Mr. Beggs

Does the Secretary of State recognise that the enlarged type of petrol bomb is a real threat to the lives of members of the security forces? Will he make it clear that the security forces in Northern Ireland have the support of Her Majesty's Government in taking whatever steps are necessary, including the firing of live rounds at attackers, to protect their own lives?

Mr. Prior

I understand the force of what the hon. Gentleman says in the second half of his question, but the security forces have to take many factors into account in dealing with the new situation, in so far as it is new. In so far as it is an extension and expansion of the petrol bomb throwing which has been going on for a long while, the security forces would have to be very careful before adopting the methods suggested by the hon. Gentleman. At whom would they fire? The security forces could find themselves in just such a predicament as the terrorists wish to place them in.

Mr. Bellingham

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the funeral in Londonderry of a man who had been killed by his own incendiary device, a priest attempted to excuse terrorism? Does my right hon. Friend not find that highly regrettable?

Mr. Prior

Yes. I would find any excuse for terrorism utterly regrettable. I remind the House of the extraordinarily powerful comments of Bishop Cahal Daly at the recent funeral of a murdered girl. His condemnation of all those who support violence in Northern Ireland was the most powerful that I have heard in three years.

Rev. Martin Smyth

Has the Secretary of State had time to read his answer in column 1170 of the Official Report for 22 March to a question from the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley), arising out of an incident at the Ulster hospital, Dundonald? Can he say whether the officials who supplied him with the information may unwittingly, or deliberately, have misled the House?

Mr. Prior

No, Sir, I have not read that answer again. I believe that I have written to the hon. Gentleman about it.

Mr. Soley

I am not convinced of the logic of grouping questions 3 and 17, which cover different areas. With regard to question 3, has the Secretary of State had time to reconsider the policy of blocking border roads? Is it not true that there is very little evidence that has led to a diminution of paramilitary action, and that, where cross-border paramilitary activity has been stopped, that has been achieved by close and impressive co-operation between the security forces of the North and of the South?

Mr. Prior

There is a case for blocking certain roads. There is also a case for making sure that certain intersections are more closely guarded on a permanent or spasmodic basis. The closure of cross-border roads should be kept under constant review. We must bear in mind the attitude of the local population and also the needs of security.