§ Miss Devlinasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members 427W of military security forces, including the Ulster Special Constabulary, also act as water bailiffs policing Lough Neagh;
(2) whether he allows members of security forces in Northern Ireland who are also water bailiffs to use officially issued firearms while acting in the latter capacity.
§ Mr. RichardNo water bailiffs employed by the Lough Neagh Water Authority are members of any of the security forces in Northern Ireland.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of special arrangements facilitating purchase and possession of firearms by the water bailiffs policing Lough Neagh, the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland, will examine the security aspects of such arrangements, and take steps to ensure that such facilities do not enable firearms to pass into possession of extremist elements.
§ Mr. RichardAs the Lough Neagh water bailiffs are unarmed I do not believe any action is required.