Security (Hansard, 26 January 1984)

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

§ 17. Rev. Ian Paisley
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation on the border and the protection of Protestant churches.

§ Mr. Prior
Since I last answered questions on 8 December, one member of the RUC, three members of the UDR and three civilians have died in incidents arising from the security situation in Northern Ireland. Two incidents were in border areas. In the opinion of the security forces these can best be countered by continuing covert operations and good professional relations with the Garda. But they also recognise the value of more visible security in the form of foot and mobile patrols and vehicle checks, which help to reassure those living there. Indeed, the security forces have provided those covert and oven security measures at and near Protestant churches after discussions with the clergy and other church representatives. All those matters are being carefully reviewed and any necessary measures till be taken during the next few weeks.
With tremendous courage and determination, members of the security forces continue to pursue terrorists. During 1983 more than 600 people were charged with terrorist-type offences, including 75 with murder and 60 with attempted murder. The security forces will maintain their efforts to the full during 1984.

§ Mr. Proctor
I thank my right hon. Friend for that full reply. Will he ensure that there is a uniformly high level of security along the frontier so that, for example, the provisions that operate in Fermanagh—the blocking of as many roads as possible and the guarding of fewer crossing points—operate also in Armagh?

§ Mr. Prior
The House will be interested to know that the Army is carrying out a full review of all crossing points on the border. It will consider carefully other matters, such as the guarding of intersections, to which my hon. Friend draws attention.

§ Rev. Ian Paisley
Although I appreciate what the security forces did in the wake of the Darkley murders, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the two mobile support units from the RUC have now been completely withdrawn from that area? Is he further aware that those attending isolated Protestant churches are very apprehensive about security? Will he give us some details of the number of open crossings into the Irish Republic in that area and will he take steps to close them?

§ Mr. Prior
As the hon. Gentleman knows, there are a number of crossings, and I hope to give further details on those that can be closed within a few weeks. As to the hon. Gentleman's first point, there has been some withdrawal of police and troops from the Darkley and border area during the past few weeks. That withdrawal is not permanent; it will be matched by occasions when the police and troops return to the area to create the maximum amount of surprise and flexibility.

§ Mr. Maginnis
Although we welcome the Secretary of State's statement about reviewing security on the frontier, does he agree that it is rather odd that this should happen after 14 years of violence? Should security not be an ongoing operation rather than the stop-go system which reacts to terrorist violence?

§ Mr. Prior
It would be wrong to say that it is a stop-go system. Security policy is constantly reviewed, and this is a further review.

§ Mr. Madden
Does the Secretary of State have any plans to ban civilians working in security installations in Northern Ireland from membership of trade unions? As a major recipient of intelligence gathered by Cheltenham, was he consulted by the Foreign Secretary before his statement yesterday, and has the right hon. Gentleman made representations in recent years in support of yesterday's proposal?

§ Mr. Skinner
No, because Reagan has not told him yet.

§ Mr. Prior
The hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) is ingenious, but that question must be answered by someone else.