HC Deb 27 March 1986 vol 94 cc1064-5
14. Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the estimated cost to (a) the public purse and (b) private individuals of the damage caused during the course of the one-day strike on Monday 3 March.

Mr. Scott

Full information is not yet available. However, up to 14 March, 281 notices of intention to claim compensation for damage to property had been served on my right hon. Friend. The cost of police overtime is estimated at £470,000. There is no doubt that the events of 3 March caused grave damage to Northern Ireland, both financially and in terms of its reputation.

Mr. Ross

I hope that wide publicity will be given to the Minister's answer and that we shall get more detailed information when the size of the claims that have been submitted are known. May I express the hope that the politicians in Northern Ireland who helped to organise the day of strike will take note of the figures and understand that the rest of the country feels great anger about the figures that are likely to be involved?

Mr. Scott

I would wish to echo that sentiment. Many disgraceful things happened on 3 March and grave damage was done to the reputation of Northern Ireland in the wider world. I hope that there will be no repetition of it.

Dr. Godman

As it has been alleged that certain UDR personnel were involved in the disturbances, may I remind the Secretary of State that he said earlier today that he was quite unaware of the charge that one of his junior Ministers had sought to dissuade Conservative Members of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill from taking oral evidence from the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon)? Will the Secretary of State investigate this most serious charge and report to the House?

Mr. Scott

I find myself in exactly the same position as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I have no knowledge of the charge to which the hon. Gentleman has referred. The allegations that members of the UDR were involved in what took place on 3 March are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.