§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) upon whose orders and for what reasons was a barricade erected at the Bryson Street gates of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Chapel, Newtownards Road, Belfast, and left unmanned by the Army, on the night of Tuesday, 13th April, 1971;
(2) upon whose orders and for what reasons was the Army guard removed from the Bryson Street gates of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Chapel, Newtownards Road, Belfast, on the night of Tuesday, 13th April, 1971.
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§ Lord BalnielThe gates which lead from St. Matthew's Church on to Bryson Street are always locked. They are not used and have not been manned by the Army for at least three months.
Additionally, there are gates on to the Newtownards Road near Bryson Street at which there are two positions for a sentry, one in a tower and one on the ground. For a short period during the night of 13th April the sentry and one section were forced back from the gates by the crowd. The crowd were driven out of the yard by the section, and 64 baton rounds were fired during the encounter. The sentry was moved from the tower to the ground during this period to prevent his isolation from the remainder of his section.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) how many searches have been made by the Army in the Seaforde Street/Bryson Street area of Newtownards Road from 28th June, 1970, to Wednesday, 7th April, 1971;
(2) what arms, ammunition and explosive substances have been uncovered by the Army in the Seaforde Street/Bryson Street area of the Newtownards Road, Belfast, from 28th June, 1970, to Monday, 12th April, 1971;
(3) how many searches were made by the Army in the Seaforde Street/Bryson Street area of Newtownards Road from Thursday, 8th April, to Monday, 12th April, 1971.
§ Lord BalnielTwelve searches were made in the area between 28th June, 1970, and 7th April, 1971, resulting in finds of 10 petrol bombs, one can of Kerosene, two .;38 cartridges, 10 .;303 rounds, and two 9mm rounds. No searches were made in the area between 8th and 12th April, 1971.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) upon whose orders and for what reason were troops withdrawn from the entrance of Bryson Street on to the Newtownards Road during and after the Junior Orangemen processed along that road on Tuesday, 13th April, 1971;
(2) why an Army search of the Seaforde Street/Bryson Street area of the Newtownards Road, Belfast, was not made immediately after four Protestants had 426W been shot in that area on Tuesday, 13th April, 1971;
(3) upon whose orders and for what reasons did the Army direct its guns at the Protestant side of the Lower Newtownards Road, Belfast, on the early evening of Tuesday, 13th April, when the actual shooting came from the Roman Catholic side.
§ Lord BalnielOn the night of 13th/14th April in East Belfast a crowd made attacks on Army units deployed in support of the R.U.C. These attacks hampered the efforts of the Army to bring criminals to justice, to protect life and property, and to restore peace and order. Some of the crowd sought to attack a church, and some of the petrol bombs and other weapons used in the attack against the security forces had clearly been prepared in advance. Eight soldiers were injured, and one was admitted to hospital. The chief constable has conveyed to the G.O.C. an expression of thanks from the senior police officer of the district for the help given by the Army. The circumstances of these events are as follows
A joint Army/ R.U.C. plan was drawn up to cover the return of the Junior Orangemen to Belfast on the afternoon of Tuesday, 13th April. In East Belfast the Army were deployed in Seaforde Street, Austin Street, St. Matthew's Churchyard, Mount Pottinger Road, Kenilworth Street, and Beechfield Street. The entrance to Bryson Street was controlled by the R.U.C.Immediately following the shooting at the junction of Comber and Bryson Streets troops were deployed from St. Matthew's Churchyard to the east end of Comber Street, where they faced a hostile crowd, and to the west end of Comber Street.This street was sealed within 7 minutes of the shooting.At the same time troops were deployed to establish an outer cordon round the area bounded by Newtownards Road, Bryson Street, Beechfield Street, and Mount Pottinger Road. A cordon was in position within 25 minutes and a search commenced with the troops available. Orders were given to assemble specialist search teams to assist in the search of individual houses.Hostile crowds gathered on the Newtownards Road between Kenilworth and Pitt Streets and on Bryson Street. These crowds were intent on attacking St. Matthew's Church and shops in the area. Troops had to be withdrawn from the search to contain these crowds. Reinforcements were not immediately available as the main parade of Junior Orangemen was taking place in West Belfast at the same time. In facing the hostile crowds the troops necessarily pointed their weapons towards them.427WSearch teams and reinforcements allowed searches of Comber Street to begin at 8 p.m. The searches of the area continued until 4 a.m. on 14th April, although troops had frequently to be diverted to contain the crowds attempting to attack the area. The crowds were finally brought under control shortly after midnight and 17 arrests were made.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what arms, ammunition and explosive substances have been uncovered by the Army in the Seaforde Street/Bryson Street area of the Newtownards Road, Belfast, since Tuesday 13th April, 1971; and at what times and on what dates these were found.
§ Lord BalnielThe information is as follows, although detailed times are not available:
13th April
- 2 starting pistols.
- 1 round ammunition.
- 1 bayonet.
14th April
- 24 cartridges.
- 3 pistols.
- 1 sub-machine gun.
- 2 rifles.
- 3 flares.
- 9 magazines.
- 3 pipe bombs.
- 113 detonators.
- 1,324 assorted rounds ammunition.
18th April
- I starting pistol.
- 1 x 9mm round ammunition.
- 1 shotgun.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) upon whose orders and for what reason was uniformed Royal Ulster Constabulary constable No. 7181 twice struck with a rifle by a soldier at Tower Street, Lower Newtownards Road, Belfast, at approximately 12.15 a.m. on Wednesday, 15th April, 1971;
(2) what action he now proposes to take in the matter of uniformed Royal Ulster Constabulary constable No. 7181 who was struck twice with a rifle by a soldier at Tower Street, Lower Newtownards Road, Belfast, at approximately 12.15 a.m. on Wednesday, 14th April, 1971.
§ Lord BalnielThe incident is being investigated by both the Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence upon whose orders 428W and for what reason was a deaf mute arrested by the Army on the Lower Newtownards Road, Belfast, on the night of 13th April, 1971; and with what offence was he afterwards charged.
§ Lord BalnielHe was arrested for throwing stones at the security forces. On account of his disabilities, charges were not pressed.