§ 70. Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now detail the circumstances which led to the sending to members of the Ulster Special Constabulary of an unauthorised application form for the Ulster Defence Regiment by the staff officer of the Ulster Special Constabulary; what costs were involved; and from what Vote they were paid.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe circumstances were described by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and myself during the Second Reading of the Ulster Defence Regiment Bill. No expenditure was incurred on Ministry of Defence Votes either in the preparation or in the issue of these forms.—[Vol. 791, c. 1334–6 and 1446–7.]
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§ 71. Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have now been taken to guard against unauthorised application forms for membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment being circulated.
§ Mr. HattersleyStocks of official application forms have been available since 1st January at post offices, public libraries and police stations, etc. Applications are being, and will be, considered on the basis of these, and these alone. It seems unlikely that anyone would find advantage in circulating unofficial forms at the same time.