§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by whose direction the troops were withdrawn from the South Armagh area in order to permit Republicans to remove the obstacles on these blocked-up roads and to reopen them to the IRA gunmen and bombers.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 30th October; Vol. 898, c. 616–17], gave the following information
No directions to withdraw from South Armagh have been given. The day-today control of military forces in the area is a matter for the military authorities.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action 121W the Army took when prior notice was given in a Press advertisement that Republicans would at a certain time start unblocking these cross-border roads.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 30th October, Vol. 898, c. 616–17], gave the following information
The security forces were aware of Press reports that an attempt might be made to re-open certain border crossings in South Armagh over the weekend 25th-26th October. The crossings were kept under observation, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3rd November to his related Question.