§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the development of the rôle of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
§ Lord BalnielThe rôle of the Ulster Defence Regiment remains as stated in paragraph 5 of Command Paper 4188 dated November 1970.
Within this rôle the number and range of tasks falling upon the Regiment in support of the Regular Army are increasing. The General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland has therefore recently invited members of the Regiment to volunteer for call-out for extended periods of service under Section 2(2) of the Ulster Defence Regiment Act, 1969. The powers conferred by this Section have been exercised on a number of occasions since the Regiment became operational. The response has been encouraging.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will take immediate steps for the raising of a permanent battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
§ Lord BalnielI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) on 9th June by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Army.—[Vol. 818, c.343.]