§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement about the number of occasions in the last 12 months when British troops and security forces have been attacked from the Irish Republic across the United Kingdom land frontier; how many shots were fired or mines exploded; and with what result.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that to give a full answer to this Question would involve a disproportionate amount of effort. However, from 29th August, 1971, to 21st January, 1972, there have been some 150 incidents on the border including shootings, bombings, burnings and civil disturbances. In only 10 of these incidents were local people alone involved. There have been 83 shooting528W incidents, and troops returned fire on 60 occasions. Though exact records are not available, considerably over 2,000 rounds have been fired by the terrorists at the security forces. Two members of the security forces have been killed and seven wounded.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence under whose control and direction British troops were acting at MacGilligan Camp, Northern Ireland, in the confrontation with civil rights demonstrators on Saturday, 22nd January.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe troops were under the command of 8 Infantry Brigade and were responsible, through the General Officer Commanding. Northern Ireland, to the Secretary of State for Defence.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence what offence was committed by the civil rights demonstrators outside MacGilligan Camp on 22nd January which resulted in British troops firing rubber bullets at the demonstrators.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithDemonstrators attempted forcibly to approach a prohibited area, and thereby threatened its security. In the process some of them repeatedly threw stones, and only when they could not be deterred by other means were rubber bullets fired.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence when MacGilligan Beach was bought by the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithNo land at Magilligan below high water mark is owned by the Ministry of Defence, but about 135 acres known as Magilligan Strand have been leased since 1966 from the Crown Estates Commissioners.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence what warnings were given to the demonstrators at MacGilligan Beach on Saturday, 22nd January, before the troops fired rubber bullets.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThey were warned at their assembly point and at the approaches to the camp that they would not be permitted to enter the prohibited area.
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§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence what briefings are given to British troops in the handling of peaceful civil rights demonstrations on private roads and public beaches in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithTroops do not intervened in demonstrations, wherever they occur, unless there is or is likely to be a breach of the law. In that case, they act in accordance with their general instructions, which include a requirement to use only such force as is necessary and reasonable, and with any specific instructions which a particular situation may require.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will hold a public inquiry into incidents on MacGilligan Beach and outside MacGilligan Camp on Saturday, 22nd January, in which the Army was involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithNo. Between 1.30 and 2.30 p.m. a crowd of about 700 people assembled at the Golden Slipper Ballroom, Magilligan, with the expressed intention of demonstrating at Magilligan Camp. They were warned that they would not be permitted to enter the prohibited area of the camp but no attempt was made to stop them moving along a lane and subsequently along the beach towards the camp.
The approach to the camp along the beach was barred by a temporary wire fence. The crowd stopped about 200 yards from this. A small number came forward, and were reminded that they were approaching the prohibited area. Nevertheless, the main body of demonstrators was called forward and stones were thrown at the security forces. The latter did not respond but withdrew out of range.
The crowd then surged forward and attempted to force its way towards the prohibited area. The troops fired rubber bullets and made a baton charge, preventing the demonstrators from advancing further. Stone-throwing continued for a few minutes, to which the troops replied with rubber bullets. Many of the demonstrators began to move back along the beach, but some 300 moved inland towards Magilligan Camp itself. Seeing that they would be stopped, they 530W set fire to a hut and then retired across fields to the ballroom. The security forces did not intervene.
On their return to the Ballroom the demonstrators threw stones and other missiles at the security forces on duty there, and at about 6.15 p.m. set fire to the ballroom, causing considerable internal damage. At about 6.30 p.m. the security forces dispersed the remaining crowd.