HL Deb 07 November 1972 vol 336 cc231-2

2.44 p.m.

LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state for the six months period before, and the six months period after, the passing of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act:—

  1. (1) the total number of killed and wounded in Northern Ireland; and
  2. (2) the estimated value of damage to property in Northern Ireland.

LORD WINDLESHAM

My Lords, during the six months before the passing of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1972, 181 people were killed and 2,314 people required hospital treatment for injuries as a result of civil disturbances. During the subsequent six months 287 people were killed and 2,627 required hospital treatment. Statistics are not yet available to answer the second part of the Question since many of the claims which have resulted from damage to property within the two periods specified are still being assessed.

LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGH

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Is there are reason why the situation reports, combined with the N.I. reports which are produced in Lisburn daily for the noble Lord's right honourable friend, could not be combined with the equivalent reports from the Police and, say, weekly or fortnightly statistics from the Northern Ireland Claims Office in Belfast? Could not all these things be added together and made available regularly to Parliament?

LORD WINDLESHAM

My Lords, I will take note of that suggestion. We do provide a considerable volume of statistical information every week in reply to Written and Oral Questions by Members of both Houses of Parliament, and of course to the Press. The problem is that different people want different figures for different periods. For example, the Question here referred to statistics before and after the Temporary Provisions Act. It is perhaps better to attempt to provide the information that is asked for specifically, rather than to give more general figures. However, I take note of the noble Lord's suggestion.