§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the nature of the representations made to him by the Premier of the Republic of Ireland with regard to the setting-up of a full-time battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleOn 15th June the Government of the Republic of Ireland made representations critical of the idea that a full-time battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment might be raised. In reply, the role of such a force, if it were formed, was made plain on the lines of the statement made by my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence on 8th June, namely that any such battalion, like the rest of the Ulster Defence Regiment, would be firmly part of the British Army and under the control of the Secretary of State for Defence.—[Vol. 818, c. 882–3.]