Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what weight of commercial explosive made in Eire was captured by the security forces from the IRA in Northern Ireland in 1973 and 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesDuring 1973 2,523 lb. of explosive made in the Irish Republic was recovered by the security forces in Northern Ireland; the corresponding figure for 1974 was 2,112 lb. The figures include both explosive found in searches and explosive taken from defused bombs.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what weight of commercial explosive, made in countries other than Eire, was captured by the security forces in Northern Ireland from the IRA in 1973 and 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNone.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many detonators made in Eire were captured in Northern Ireland from the IRA by the security forces in 1973 and 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesDetonators are not manufactured in the Irish Republic but 328 detonators marked for use in the Irish Republic were recovered in Northern Ireland in 1973 and 243 in 1974.
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Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many detonators, made in a country other than Eire, were captured by the security forces in Northern Ireland from the IRA in 1973 and 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees33 detonators originating in a country other than the Irish Republic were recovered in 1973 and 284 in 1974. 2,003 whose origin could not be established were recovered in 1973 and 3,278 in 1974.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has of the amount of commercial explosive used in terrorist bombs which actually exploded in Northern Ireland in 1973 and in 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is not possible to give such an estimate as mixtures of commercial explosive and other material are frequently used.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what weight of ammonium nitrate was captured by the security forces in Northern Ireland in 1973 and in 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees30,623 lb in 1973 and 19,384 lb in 1974.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated weight of ammonium nitrate which was used in bombs which actually exploded in Northern Ireland in 1973 and in 1974.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is not possible to give such an estimate as mixtures of commercial explosive and ammonium nitrate are frequently used.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has regarding the source of the fertiliser used by the IRA to produce the ammonium nitrate used by the IRA.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesFertiliser is widely used for many purposes and it is not possible to give accurate information as to its source.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what 451W weight of ammonium nitrate was captured by the security forces in Northern Ireland while in transit by the IRA in 1973 and 1974 in areas close to the border and elsewhere, respectively; and how many persons were arrested as a result of being in the vehicles which were being used.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe information which the hon. Member requires is not readily available from the records kept by the security forces. To obtain it would entail a major effort on the part of the security forces.