HC Deb 20 April 1989 vol 151 c278W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the special explosives ordnance team was sent to Gibraltar to assist in the operation in Gibraltar on 6 March 1988; when it left the United Kingdom; and when it returned.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

As was made clear at the inquest, it would not be in the public interest to reveal details about events prior to 6 March 1988 as these could reveal the intelligence background to the operation and methods of operation of the security forces. An explosives ordnance disposal team was sent to Gibraltar when requested by the commissioner of police. They were present in Gibraltar at the time of the incident, carried out render-safe procedures on the suspected car bomb in the white Renault car, and returned to the United Kingdom shortly afterwards.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the officers, who examined the Renault car parked in Main street, Gibraltar on 6 March 1988, concluded that it did not contain a bomb.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

None.