HC Deb 16 April 1973 vol 855 cc49-50W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) who is responsible for advising the forensic science laboratory on security; when was the last occasion when such advice was sought; and when the security arrangements were last checked;

(2) how many security staff were employed at the time of the raid on the Forensic Science Laboratory, Newtown-breda, Belfast; whether they were armed; and what period of training they had received.

Mr. Peter Mills

As stated in the reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 13th April, it would not be in the public interest to give information about the security arrangements at the Forensic Science Laboratory. Additional security precautions are being taken.— [Vol. 854, c.383–4.]

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many arms, and of what kind, and how much ammunition was stolen in the raid on the Forensic Science Laboratory, Newtown-breda, Belfast; and how many of the arms were being subjected to tests for the purpose of evidence in pending criminal cases.

Mr. Peter Mills

Details of the arms stolen from the Forensic Science Laboratory were given in the reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 13th April. All these weapons had been submitted for examination in connection with criminal cases.—[Vol. 854, c.383–4.]

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why a large number of arms and quantity of ammunition was stored at the Forensic Science Laboratory, Belfast, which was not protected by the Army or the RUC.

Mr. Peter Mills

These arms and ammunition had been submitted by the security forces to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination and testing.