Ulster Defence Regiment and British Army (Northern Ireland Placement)

HC Deb 30 July 1981 vol 9 cc496-7W

Mr. Peter Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Army and the Ulster Defence Regiment serve in each of the six counties in Northern Ireland: and how many serve in Belfast.

Mr. Goodhart

Of the six resident major units of the Regular Army in Northern Ireland, two are based near Belfast—at Aldergrove, Co. Antrim and Holywood, Co. Down; two are based in Co. Londonderry—one in Londonderry itself and the other at Ballykelly—and one each in Co Tyrone—Omagh—and Co. Down—Ballykinler. The three roulement major units are based, one in Belfast, one in Co. Armagh and the third partly in Co. Fermanagh and partly in Co. Tyrone. The Maze Prison Guard Force is, of course, in Co. Antrim. The supporting elements of the Regular Army are located with these units and elsewhere in the Province.

The eleven battalions of the UDR are based throughout the Province—two in Belfast and nine outside.

The exact number of soldiers serving in any single part of the Province varies constantly, depending upon the RUC's requirement for military support.