HC Deb 05 November 1971 vol 825 cc22-4W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many men from the Territorial Army have made application for transfer to the Ulster Defence Regiment; how many of these have been accepted; how many are pending; and how many have been turned down.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Up to now, one man has applied and has been accepted for transfer.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what date the Army guard at Chichester Road Police Station was removed; if he will indicate the reasons of the removal of this guard; and if he will undertake an urgent review of the guarding of police stations in Northern Ireland in the light of recent events.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

The static guard was removed on 16th September, following consultation at local level with the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Measures to protect police stations throughout Northern Ireland are being reviewed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and the Northern Ireland authorities.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions on each month in 1971 the Army have been called to the scene of an explosion in Northern Ireland; and if he will estimate the total amount of gelignite involved in these explosions.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

I regret that the information could not without disproportionate effort be provided in the precise form requested by my hon. Friend. The total numbers of bomb incidents, including those where bombs were rendered safe by Army ammunition technical officers, and the estimated total weights of explosive involved, were as follows:

Incidents Estimated weight of explosive
January 16 150 lb.
February 17 380 lb.
March 29 231 lb.
April 29 265 lb.
May 37 365 lb.
June 39 519 lb.
July 68 1,408 lb.
August 101 1,349 lb.
September 256 2,392 lb.
October 225 2,381 lb.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps have been taken to counter Irish Republican Army and Republican propaganda against Army operations in Northern Ireland.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Vigorous efforts are made by all means to ensure that the truth is known as widely as possible, at home and abroad.

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