§ 4. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the mobile equipment available for security purposes in Northern Ireland has proved adequate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord BalnielThe vehicles used by the Army in Northern Ireland have fulfilled the requirements expected of them, although changes are, of course, made whenever the requirements alter.
§ 19. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of State for Defence how many British Service men have been killed or injured in Northern Ireland since 1st January, 1972, and how many civilians are known to have been killed or injured in clashes with British Service men in Northern Ireland since 1st January, 1972.
§ Lord BalnielBetween 1st January, 1972, and 24th October, 1972, the Army—including the Ulster Defence Regiment—have had 111 killed and 506 wounded.
I am afraid that it is not possible to state with certainty the number of civilians killed or injured in clashes with British Service men, in view of the IRA's efforts to conceal their casualties.
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§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of State for Defence what are the instructions for the wearing of steel helmets by troops in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithCommander Land Forces has issued guiding instructions to his subordinate commanders on this subject. However, it must be left to the individual commanding officers to decide according to local situations whether or not steel helmets should be worn. Generally, soldiers on static guard or riot control duties tend to be more heavily protected than, for example, those engaged on some foot patrols, for whom speed of reaction and quickness of movement are often of paramount importance.