Mr. Wm Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the RUC were given the statutory notice of the two parades held in Londonderry on 30th January by the NIRCA and Provisional Sinn Fein; whether permission was granted; and how many times in the past these organisations have held these marches.
§ Mr. MasonThe Chief Constable tells me that the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association held a meeting in Londonderry on 30th January 1977. As no march took place, no statutory notice was required. The Provisional Sinn Fein organised and carried out a march on the same day. As this is a customary parade, notice was not required. I understand that this march has been held annually since 1973.
Mr. Wm Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the organisers of the march by the Irish Front in Londonderry on 6th February 1977 sought permission from the RUC under the Public Order Act to hold the march.
§ Mr. MasonThe Chief Constable tells me that no permission for this march to take place was sought under the Public Order Act (NI) 1951 (as amended).