HC Deb 01 May 1972 vol 836 cc42-4W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 4.50 p.m. when firing occurred from Divis Flats.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

Between 4.50 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. 200 to 300 shots were fired at security forces in Divis Street from Divis flats and the surrounding area; 205 rounds were returned. The security forces suffered no casualties, but 14 gunmen are believed to have been hit.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 5.55 p.m. when a shot was fired at Albert Street Army post.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

I have received no report of a single shot being fired at Albert Street Army Post at 5.55 p.m. At 4.57 p.m. 10 shots were fired at the Army Post from Divis Street and one shot was returned. There were no casualties and no gunmen were seen to be hit.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 6.45 p.m. when three bursts of automatic gunfire came from Artillery Flats, North Queen Street.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 6.36 p.m. three bursts of automatic fire were directed at the junction of North Queen Street and Little George Street from Artillery Flats. One soldier and an

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 8.59 p.m. when shots were fired at the Springfield Road Police Station.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 8.59 p.m. one shot was fired at a sentry at the Springfield Road Police Station, from the area of Malcolmson Street. There were no casualties and no fire was returned.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.25 p.m. when one high-velocity shot was fired at a military patrol at the junction of Ballynure Street and Old Park Road.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.12 p.m. one shot was fired at the patrol from the junction of Ballynure Street and Bally-carry Street, and two shots were returned. There were no casualtiees and the gunman was not seen to be hit.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.26 p.m. when 10 shots were fired at a mobile Army patrol in Crumlin Road.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.26 p.m. 10 shots were fired from Agnes Street at the patrol, and one shot was returned. There were no casualties and no gunmen were seen to be hit.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.35 p.m. when shots were fired at a sentry at the junction of Chief Street and Crumlin Road.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.35 p.m. four shots were fired at the sentry from the direction of Butler Street. There were no casualties and no fire was returned.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.35 p.m. when shots were fired at the security forces at the junction of Etna Drive and Alliance Avenue.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.35 p.m. six shots were fired from the direction of Etna Drive at the Army observation post at the junction of Etna Drive and Alliance Avenue. There were no casualties and no fire was returned.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.36 p.m. when shots were fired at the observation post at the junction of Chief Street and Crumlin Road.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.36 p.m. two shots were fired at the observation post from the direction of Butler Street. There were no casualties and no fire was returned.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.40 p.m. when shots were fired at Old Park Royal Ulster Constabulary Station.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.40 p.m. five shots were fired at troops at Old Park Police Station from the area of Gracehill Street. There were no casualties and no shots were returned.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April at 9.55 p.m. when shots were fired at Old Park Royal Ulster Constabulary Station.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At 9.55 p.m. two shots were fired at troops at Old Park Police Station from the area of Park Gardens. There were no casualties and no shots were returned.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident in Belfast on Monday, 17th April when a parcel containing gelignite was found in a telephone box at the junction at Twaddell Avenue and Woodvale Road.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At about 10.30 p.m. an Army patrol found eight pounds of gelignite in a telephone kiosk at the junction of Twaddell Avenue and Woodvale Road. It was not prepared as a bomb.

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