§ 36. Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the redeployment of the Army in certain areas in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownRedeployments of the Army within Northern Ireland are primarily a matter for the judgment of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland in consultation with the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on 4th May, certain redeployments have taken place recently to ensure that, following the withdrawal of the Spearhead Battalion which had been providing temporary reinforcement, there should be no change in the force levels124W in and around the South Armagh area. These redeployments are mainly from Belfast in areas where there is greater involvement of the RUC and Royal Military Police.