§ 19. Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he takes to publicise the role and achievements of the security forces in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottMy right hon. Friend and I have taken, and will continue to take, every opportunity to publicise the 899 work and achievements of the security forces in Northern Ireland. Their work is commended in statements and speeches and during the course of radio, television and newspaper interviews. Attention is also drawn to the achievements of the security forces by the regular inclusion of statistics in the answers to parliamentary questions and in press releases and other publications, and by the briefing of journalists and others from home and abroad. Ministers also make well-publicised visits to units of the security forces in the Province.
§ Mr. MaginnisIs the Minister aware that there is a scurrilous campaign to discredit the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment — a campaign that is aided by naive members of the public who are not themselves connected with terrorism? Will he take steps to see that incidents in which members of the security forces are involved are more fully explained to the general public? We understand that, for security reasons, there must be constraints, but we feel that not enough is being done to put the case for the members of the security forces.
§ Mr. ScottThe hon. Gentleman appreciates the constraints that frequently exist when criminal charges may be brought in certain circumstances. However, I can certainly agree wholeheartedly with him that everything that promises to be effective against terrorism in Northern Ireland is subject to a scurrilous campaign designed to discredit it. Ministers will do their best to counter such campaigns.