§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the total strength of the Army in Northern Ireland on 1st July 1976;
(2) what was the total strength of the Army in Northern Ireland on 1st January 1977.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownApproximate troop strengths, excluding the UDR, in 43W Northern Ireland on the dates quoted were:
1st July 1976 … … 14,500 1st January 1977 … … 14,000
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will hold an inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Frank Moyna at his home in Bombay Street, Belfast, during a search by members of the Parachute Regiment.
§ Mr. MulleyAs I undertook to do when I saw the hon. Member, I have now considered a full report of the circumstances in which the security forces searched the home of Mr. Frank Moyna in Belfast on 25th January. The search was properly conducted as part of their security duties by the soldiers concerned and with due consideration for the distress of Mr. and Mrs. Moyna. I much regret the death of Mr. Moyna from a heart attack while the search was in progress. The police will be carrying out an investigation, as is normal in all cases of sudden death, and a public inquest will be held in due course.