HC Deb 05 August 1971 vol 822 cc358-63W
30. Mr. McMaster

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many known Irish Republic Army prisoners are in custody in Northern Ireland as a result of action by the security forces under the General Officer Commanding in Nothern Ireland.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Precise figures are not available but I understand that it is estimated that some 40 officers of the I.R.A. are now serving prison sentences in Northern Ireland.

The responsibilities of the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland with regard to the security operations of the Army and the R.U.C. were referred to in the reply of my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Home Department to a Question on 9th December, 1970.—[Vol. 808, c. 135–36.]

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Irish Republican Army bombs fitted with a special anti-lifting device the Army in Northern Ireland have been called upon to defuse from 29th July to 3rd August, 1971; how these bombs were constructed; and where they were planted by the terrorists.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

During this period, Army ammunition technical officers dealt with three bombs which were fitted with anti-handling devices. The bombs were all placed in Belfast by unknown persons. Two of the bombs each contained approximately 5 lbs. of explosive, the third one approximately 1 to 2 lbs. of explosive.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to the Cattle Market, Brandywell, Londonderry, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion on the morning of 30th July; what were the results of their investigations; at what time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; how the bomb was constructed; how it was detonated; what damage was done; if the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after midnight, a bomb, placed by unknown persons exploded on the porchway of the administration building, causing moderate damage. An Army ammunition technical officer arrived shortly after the explosion was reported and, the area having been cleared, conducted the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that no explosive remained in or around the building. He estimated that the bomb contained about 10 lbs of explosive but there was no evidence of the means of initiation. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) under what circumstances an Irish Republican Army bomb was thrown at the Army Post at Blighs Lane, Londonderry, on the morning of 30th July; and if the terrorist who threw the bomb was shot or arrested.

(2) under what circumstances the Army was attacked on the night of 29th July at Butcher Gate, Londonderry; what missiles the rioters used; what measures the Army employed to bring the situation under control; and how many arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

There was a number of incidents during the night of 29th–30th July in the Butcher Gate—Rossville Street—Blighs Lane areas. Hooligans threw a number of petrol bombs and stones. The troops used water cannon, with dye, and baton rounds in dispersing the crowds.

No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to the Customs Post at Culmore, near Londonderry, on the morning of 30th July after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion; at what time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; what sort of bomb was used; how it was detonated; if the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At about 1 a.m. a bomb, placed by unknown persons, exploded at the Culmore Customs Post. An Army ammunition technical officer arrived shortly after the explosion was reported and, the area having been cleared, made the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that no explosive remained in or around the building. He estimated that the bomb contained 2 to 5 lbs. of explosive but there was no evidence of the means of initiation. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to Coveram, Pontadown, Northern Ireland, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion on 30th July; at what time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived; what sort of bomb was used; how it was constructed; how it was detonated; what damage was done; if the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly before 3 a.m. a bomb, placed by unknown persons, caused light structural damage to the Community Centre at Portadown and broke the windows of nearby houses. An Army ammunition technical officer, who arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion was reported, estimated that the bomb contained 5 to 10 lbs. of explosive. The means of detonation is unknown. The area having first been cleared, the officer made the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that no explosive remained in or around the building. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to a house in Belvedere Park, Dungannon, owned by a policeman after it had been wrecked for the second time by an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion on Saturday night, 31st July; what was the result of their investigations; how the bomb was detonated; whether the area was sealed off; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly before midnight a bomb, placed by unknown persons, caused severe damage to the front half of the house. An Army ammunition technical officer, who arrived at the house shortly after the explosion was reported, made the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that no explosive remained in of around the house, the area having just been cleared. He considered that the bomb was probably initiated with a safety fuse and a plain detonator. I understand that no arrests have so far been made in connection with the incident.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to Kinmona Street, East Belfast, on the night of 30th July after a bomb had wrecked a terraced house; what injuries to persons were caused; how the bomb was detonated; whether the area was sealed off; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At about 11.30 p.m. a bomb caused minor damage to a house in Kimona Street; one person suffered shock. An Army ammunition technical officer made the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that no explosive remained in or about the house, the area having first been cleared. He considered that the bomb was probably initiated with a burning fuse.

I understand that no arrests have so far been made in connection with the incident.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army patrol was attacked by petrol bombs in Highfield Drive, Belfast, on the morning of 31st July; what action the Army took; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after 1 a.m. two petrol bombs were thrown at an Army patrol in Highfield Drive. There was no opportunity for the troops to take counter-action.

Mr. McManus

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps have been taken by the security forces regarding matters, details of which were sent to him by the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, in a letter dated 16th July.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

I refer the hon. Member to my letter to him dated 30th July.

Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of the continuing terrorism in Northern Ireland, he will ensure in future military deployments to Northern Ireland that reinforcements are sent from units with the highest degree of counter-insurgency specialisation such as the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

All units sent to Northern Ireland are fully qualified to undertake their operational tasks there.

Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of the aid to the civil power missions envisaged in the booklet, Britain's Need for a Multipurpose Air Reserve, submitted to him by the hon. Member for Bradford, West on 20th July, 1971, he will actively consider the benefits to morale and security in Northern Ireland of encouraging such proposals for community service.

Lord Balniel

All positive proposals for community service by our Forces in Northern Ireland are carefully considered.

The existing scale of the assistance to the civil community by the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland was indicated in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1971 (Cmnd. 4592), Ch. II, Para. 36. In addition to the specific type of assistance quoted there, the troops have undertaken such tasks as the construction of adventure playgrounds, assistance with sports activities, and the running of outward-bound type courses.