§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) whether he will make a statement on the ban imposed on the use of the canteen in the General Post Office, Belfast, by soldiers guarding it or on duty in the vicinity; and to what extent he took into account the threats from the Irish Republican Army in deciding to impose this ban;
(2) whether the ban, imposed on soldiers who are guarding the General Post Office, Belfast, or on duty in the vicinity, from using the Post Office canteen was as a result of a request, made officially or unofficially, by Post Office officials.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe Army has issued no instructions banning soldiers from using the canteen at the Head Post Office at Royal Avenue, Belfast.
However, I understand that in May the Post Office took certain additional security precautions, including restricting access to the private part of the building to those on authorised business there.
Since no soldiers are on duty in the Post Office, none now uses the canteen, but alternative facilities are readily available for troops serving in the area.