§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in obtaining cross-border co-operation with the Irish Army and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyBoth the RUC and the Garda make use of the respective armed forces supporting them in working co-operatively to improve security across the border. A notable example of this occurred during the major search operation that was conducted in the Republic with support in the Province last December. Procedures also exist wherby in the course of clearing suspected or actual 231W explosive devices on or near the border ammunition technical officers from the British and Irish armies may by invitation cross the border to facilitate their duties.