§ 57. Mr. Duffyasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the annual estimated cost of maintaining the present level of forces in Northern Ireland.
§ Lord BalnielI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25th November.—[Vol 826, c.413.]
160W
§ 58. Mr. Duffyasked the Minister of State for Defence if any special arrangements have been made for the relief from duty over the Christmas period for troops in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithAll who can be spared from the requirements of the security situation will be relieved from duty.
§ 59. Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will provide for British soldiers in Northern Ireland to be treated as on active service so that widows and dependants of those killed will become eligible for war pensions.
§ Lord BalnielThe award of a war pension depends on whether death or injury is attributable to military duty and is not affected by a declaration of active service. Widows and dependants of Servicemen killed on military duty in Northern Ireland are therefore already eligible for war pensions.
§ Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of State for Defence what steps are being taken to secure employment at the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard, Sydenham, Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. KirkAs has already been announced, the current Buccaneer conversion programme and other work should provide employment at or approaching its present level until about April, 1973. The position thereafter has been reviewed in consultation with the Northern Ireland Government and I am glad to say that it has been decided that the Buccaneer major servicing task shall be undertaken at Sydenham as the current conversion programme comes to an end. Work on Buccaneer and Phantom mechanical component repair will also be carried out at the Yard. These tasks should secure the future of the Yard for some time to come and will provide employment for about 650 employees as from the beginning of 1974.