§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many properties have been searched by the armed forces and the Royal Ulster Constabulary during each of the last five years;
(2) if a record is kept of the denominational affiliation of the householders whose properties have been searched by the armed forces and the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe available information on searches of premises under section 15 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 is as follows:
Army RUC Year Occupied Unoccupied 1984 Not available Not available 1985 104 58 Not available 1986 137 41 1,818 1987 393 72 2,474 1988 1749 1195 4,136 1 These figures are still subject to confirmation. The majority of searches conducted by the Army would have been in conjunction with the RUC and are also counted in their figures.
Information relating to the religion of the householder is not kept by the police. Although it is recorded by the Army at the time of the search, it could not be made available without disproportionate cost.