§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will publish further statistical information 230W on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesYes; consistent with my undertaking in December last year to issue quarterly reports, I have published today statistics for the period ending 30th June. Copies are available in the Library. The figures reflect a change in the nature of violence in the Province over the period of the Provisional IRA cease-fire. There has been a marked drop in the number of shootings and explosions, particularly those involving the security forces. But the number of civilian casualties remains at an unacceptably high level. This is largely as a result of a spate of sectarian and inter-factional attacks.
The security forces have responded to the changed nature and level of violence, as is shown in Part II. Nevertheless, the figures for finds of arms, explosives and ammunition illustrate the continuing success of the security forces. Furthermore, the figures for persons charged are another indicator of the security forces' continued vigilance: Charges for murder and attempted murder show a particularly marked rise, and 201 travelling gunmen have been intercepted since the beginning of this year.