§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many weapons were stolen in Northern Ireland in 1987 and 1988; whether these were stolen from the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Army or private citizens; and whether the weapons were bullet-firing, shotguns, air weapons or others;
(2) how many legally held firearms were stolen in Northern Ireland during the current year from (i) Royal Ulster Constabulary/Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve and Special Constabulary sources, (ii) Ulster Defence Regiment sources, (iii) British Army sources and (iv) civilians; and if he will give a breakdown of weapons stolen as (a) bullet firing, (b) shotguns and (c) air weapons and miscellaneous, including blank firing weapons, muzzle-loading weapons and antique weapons.
§ Mr. Ian Stewart[holding answer 1 November 1988]The information is as follows:
RUC/RUCR UDR Regular Army Civilians Bullet firing 1987 10 178 0 35 19881 7 0 3 15 Shotguns 1987 0 0 0 91 19881 0 0 0 49 Air weapons/Miscellaneous 1987 0 4 0 14 19881 0 0 0 9 Notes:
(i) Ulster Special Constabulary was disbanded in 1970
(ii) 1 To 24 October 1988.