§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether AK47 assault rifles have been used by the IRA in Northern Ireland;
(2) what evidence there is of ammunition of East European origin reaching terrorist groups in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees,pursuant to his reply [Official Report 22nd March 1976; Vol. 908, c. 47] stated: There is evidence of a few Kalashnikov or similar weapons being used by the IRA in Northern Ireland.
Ammunition which could have been fired from these weapons has been recovered in the Province. These weapons and the ammunition for them are manufactured under licence in most Eastern European countries.