HC Deb 06 May 1970 vol 801 cc115-7W
46. Mr. Henry Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of recruits for the Ulster Defence Regiment was interviewed in person before engagement; and in what percentage of cases were recruits refused interview.

Mr. Hattersley:

Recruits for part-time service with the Ulster Defence Regiment are not interviewed in person before they are accepted for enrolment.

47. Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary have applied for membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what proportion has had their applications rejected as a result of the security vetting.

Mr. Hattersley:

2,762 at 1st May, of whom 203 have been rejected for a variety of reasons. As to the second part, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester Clark) on 25th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 417.]

48. Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what changes there have been in the constitution of the security vetting panel for applicants seeking to join the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what proportion of the panel is made up of officers with more than five years experience of security problems in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Hattersley:

Applications are considered by H.Q. Northern Ireland. Referees are interviewed by investigators from Great Britain. A number of changes have been made in the various staffs concerned, none of whom has had or in my view needs, the kind of experience which the hon. Member mentions.

53. Lord Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications have been received for the 4th battalion (Fermanagh) of the Ulster Defence Regiment to the latest convenient date; how many of these have been from members of the Ulster Special Constabulary; how many have been enrolled into the regiment; how many have been rejected; and how many remain to be processed.

Mr. Hattersley:

As at 1st May, 577 applications had been received, including 458 from former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary. 302 applicants had been enrolled and a further 99 had been accepted for enrolment. 33 applications had been rejected and 139 remained to be processed. The balance of four are applications withdrawn.

54. Lord Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hattersley:

As at 1st May, 5,982 applicants to enrol in the Ulster Defence Regiment had been received. 2,396 applicants had actually been enrolled and a further 1,306 had been accepted for enrolment. 61 applications have been withdrawn since 1st January, 1970.

Lord Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Govern-

1 U.D.R. (Antrim) 2 U.D.R. (Armagh) 3 U.D.R. (Down) 4 U.D.R. (Fermanagh) 5 U.D.R. (Londonderry) 6 U.D.R. (Tyrone) 7 U.D.R. (Belfast)
Enrolled … … 4 5 5 5 5 6 6
Ex-U.S.C* … … 2 2 1 3 5 3 1
Estimated additional requirements … 4 2 3 1 2 1 1
*Included in the figures of those enrolled.

Lord Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are now keeping weapons at home.

Mr. Hattersley:

At 4th May, 234.

Lord Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in respect of each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, what is the greatest distance a member will have to travel from his home to obtain equipment from a central armoury.

Mr. Hattersley:

In the case of the battalions in Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone

1 U.D.R. (Antrim) 2 U.D.R. (Armagh) 3 U.D.R. (Down) 4 U.D.R. (Fermanagh) 5 U.D.R. (Londonderry) 6 U.D.R. (Tyrone) 7 U.D.R. (Belfast)
Notices of resignation received … … 2 7 5 2 7 9 8