HC Deb 14 December 1954 vol 535 cc130-1W
129 and 130. Captain Orr

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he will make a statement upon the incident which took place on the Eire-United Kingdom border in County Tyrone on the night of 6th December, when a British Customs officer was shot and gravely wounded when endeavouring to stop an unlighted van carrying arms and ammunition;

(2) whether in the light of an incident in the Faror Royal area on the Eire-United Kingdom frontier on 6th December when a British Customs officer was shot and seriously wounded, he will consider issuing arms for self-protection to British Customs officials operating on the Eire-United Kingdom land frontier.

Mr. H. Brooke

I understand that two men have been detained by the Police in connection with this incident, brought before the court, and remanded in custody. The case is therefore alreadysub judice, and my hon. and gallant Friend will not expect me to give him detailed information.

I am glad to say that although the Customs officer was seriously wounded, recent reports indicate that he is making good progress. The issue of arms to the Customs officers operating in these Border areas might have various repercussions and hitherto has been considered inadvisable.