§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent searches by British troops for arms in Belfast.
§ Mr. Richard:Apart from routine searches of empty and derelict buildings and waste areas, which are carried out constantly, there have been several searches organised in the residential areas of Belfast based on information received. These searches are carried out by British troops in conjunction with the R.U.C., and the minimum of inconvenience has been caused to residents whose property has been searched. As a result of searches made during the past ten days a quantity of explosive chemicals and a number of explosive devices or components have been found.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the action of British troops in connection with recent disturbances in the Flax Street and Etna Drive areas of Belfast.
§ Mr. Richard:In the early hours of 18th May rioting broke out in the Ardoyne and New Lodge Road areas of Belfast. One bomb explosion and three fires coincided with these disturbances. A crowd of about 100 formed in the area and began stoning soldiers. CS had to be used on five occasions. A fire broke out at a spinning mill in Flax Street, and the fire brigade had difficulty in reaching the fire due to the obstruction of the crowd. Several petrol bombs were thrown in Flax Street and in the Artillery Flats area. Order was finally restored by about 5 a.m. Seven arrests were made and six soldiers were slightly injured. A total of 30 CS grenades and 33 CS cartridges were used during the night.