HC Deb 20 January 1975 vol 884 cc220-1W
Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men have been killed since January 1972 in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity; and in how many cases have the families received payments of £16,575 or more.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The numbers of Service personnel killed in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity since 1st January 1972 are as follows:

1972 1973 1974 Total
Army 101 56 25 184
Royal Marines 2 2 3 7
Ulster Defence Regiment 26 8 7 41
129 66 35 232

Of these, 117 were married and in four cases awards made under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 have exceeded £16,575. The average payment under the Act to the widow of a Service man is £8,429.

The widow of a Service man, including a member of the UDR, killed as the result of terrorist activity in Northern Ireland, receives a war widow's pension from the Department of Health and Social Security. In addition, she is eligible for an award under the forces' attributable family pension scheme or the recently announced revised scheme for attributable pensions for members of the Reserve Forces and of the Ulster Defence Regiment. The courts when making awards under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 are required to take into account any such pensions from public funds paid in respect of the injury or death.

Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration, if any, has been given to the possible use of the TAVR to assist the other security forces in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

This has been considered from time to time, but members of the TAVR, throughout the United Kingdom, already have a full commitment in training for the rôles they would discharge on mobilisation, and this training constitutes an essential national service. As part of their training, TAVR members in Northern Ireland make a valuable contribution to the task of the security forces by guarding their own premises and special facilities exist for them to transfer and serve as part-time members of the UDR if they so wish.

Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances, if any, the Army may use mortars in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

Mortars are not currently available for operational use in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Carson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops have been withdrawn from Northern Ireland from 21st December 1974 to 10th January 1975; and what is the total strength of troops now left in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mason

None the force level remains at 13 major units in the infantry rôle.

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