HC Deb 14 December 1971 vol 828 cc61-3W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) on what duties the Army have been employed at the Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast, since a bomb was placed at the prison gates;

(2) after the escape of nine Irish Republican Army men from the Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast, recently what steps were taken by the Army to provide greater security at the prison;

(3) why the Army did not mount a perimeter guard at Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast, until there had been three successful gaol breaks by Irish Republican Army men.

Lord Balniel

Responsibility for the security of the prison is a matter for the civil authorities. In their support, the Army man the watchtowers, guard the main gate, and provide external patrols. They also maintain quick reaction forces on call in case of need.

After the recent escapes the Army has increased the surveillance from watchtowers and extended its external patrols.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence why the Ulster Defence Regiment was not mobilised immediately after the last gaol break from the Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast, to help man the road blocks set up by the Army.

Lord Balniel

All troops who were readily available, including members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, were used to mount road blocks as soon as the escape was reported. As time elapsed and the net was widened, additional members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were employed.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances Sergeant Kenneth Smyth of the Ulster Defence Regiment was shot dead in Northern Ireland on the morning of Friday, 10th December.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At approximately 8.45 a.m. Seargeant Smyth was travelling to work with a companion, Mr. D. McCormack. They stopped at the gate of a farmhouse near Strabane to pick up a third man. Two shots were fired from the bushes on the right hand side of the Landrover, killing Mr. McCormick. Sergeant Smyth took cover in a ditch but the gunman emerged from the bushes and shot and killed him. The gunman then walked down the road, and met another man; both then walked across the border with the Republic of Ireland, about 200 yards away.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Irish Republican Army blew up an Ulster Defence Regiment Land Rover on the night of Thursday, 9th December, near Coagh, Northern Ireland; what sort of explosive device was used; how it was detonated; and with what result.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At about 12.30 a.m. on 10th December, two Ulster Defence Regiment vehicles were damaged—though no one was hurt—by an explosive device of the "Claymore" type. These home-made mines are commonly placed at the side of a road and on detonation —in this case electrically—they discharge shrapnel, etc., towards the target vehicle. An Army ammunition technical officer estimated that the device had contained approximately 15 lb. of explosive. He later recovered 42 lb. of gelignite from a further device which had failed to explode.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been killed by the Irish Republican Army since the inception of the regiment in Northern Ireland.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Five members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been killed as a result of acts of terrorism.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence what arrests have resulted from inquiries into the shooting of Ulster Defence Regiment men by the Irish Republican Army.

Lord Balniel

I understand that no arrests have yet been made as a result of the investigations into the fatal shootings of five members of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence, in view of the Irish Republican Army murder campaign of Ulster Defence Regiment men in their homes, if he will now order that all members of the Ulster Defence Regiment can take their weapons home with them.

Lord Balniel

No. But the matter will be kept under review.