§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many requests for assistance from the public were received by the Army authorities as a result of the disturbances in Belfast on 9th-10th May;
(2) how many Snatch Squads were functioning in the disturbances in Belfast on 9th-10th May; and whether consideration will be given to the strengthening and increasing of these squads;
(3) at what time the Army was requested to come to the Lipper Street/ Duncairn Gardens area of Belfast on 9th-10th May; at what time they arrived; and how many soldiers were involved;
(4) if he will make a statement on the disturbances in Belfast on 9th-10th May, and in particular, on the involvement of subversive elements.
§ Mr. Richard:A bomb explosion on the night of 9th May led to heightened tension in the New Lodge area of Belfast and to a confrontation there between rival factions. This was dealt with satisfactorily by the R.U.C. and the Army, but groups of hooligans, mostly young, formed in the Roman Catholic areas and attacked the security forces with bottles, stones, and in a few cases petrol bombs. Sporadic attacks of this kind went on throughout the night, and there is reason to believe that the disturbances were not entirely spontaneous.
The Army received six requests for assistance from members of the public. The first formal request by the police for the Army's assistance was made at 00.05 hours on 10th May. Two companies were already standing by in the area as a precaution; the first company was deployed within 13 minutes of the request by the police, and the second company 15 minutes later. Further reinforcements were brought forward during the night as required, and by the end of the night six companies had been deployed in the area.
344WOne "Snatch Squad" was operated by each company. The way in which these squads are employed is kept under continuous review.