HC Deb 11 February 1971 vol 811 cc217-9W
31. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Northern Ireland of the Secretary of State for Defence.

34. Mr. Pounder

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the official visit of the Secretary of State for Defence on 28th and 29th January to Northern Ireland.

Lord Balniel

During the course of his recent visit to Northern Ireland, my noble Friend had discussions with the Northern Ireland Cabinet about the security situation and the measures required to deal with it.

Discussions were also held with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the military authorities to review the methods by which the security forces are discharging their rôles of maintaining peace and order, firmly and impartially enforcing the law, and combating subversion.

My right hon. Friend took this opportunity of visiting Army units in Northern Ireland and was impressed with their high morale and with the efficiency they are displaying in carrying out their demanding and often unpleasant tasks.

I will arrange for the text of the communiqué published after the meeting with the Northern Ireland Cabinet to be placed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the communiqué:

STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER THE MEETING BETWEEN THE NORTHERN IRELAND CABINET, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE AND THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE HOME OFFICE HELD ON FRIDAY. 29TH JANUARY,1971.

  1. 1. At this meeting Northern Ireland Ministers, while noting with satisfaction the encouraging progress which had been made with numerous aspects of the security situation, nevertheless expressed their concern that incidents of disorder, lawlessness and acts of subversion were still taking place.
  2. 2. The United Kingdom Ministers were in full agreement with the Northern Ireland Ministers both as to the assessment of the situation and the measures required.
  3. 3. They noted that because of the constitutional position of Northern Ireland the com- 218 mitment of the Army in aid of the civil power necessarily involved a division of responsibility. The civil authority being supported by the Army is the lawfully constituted Government of Northern Ireland but the Army itself must remain responsible to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Westminster Parliament.
  4. 4. This division of responsibility makes it essential not only that the two Governments should act, as they do, in concert but that there should be at every level the most effective means of liaison between the Governments and the security forces respectively responsible to them.
  5. 5. At the level of operational command within Northern Ireland they were fully satisfied that the machinery of the Joint Security Committee over which the Prime Minister as Minister of Home Affairs presides is an effective instrument for its purpose.
  6. 6. The existing arrangements for consultation and co-operation on the ground between the Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary will be further developed in a changing situation to the fullest extent that manpower permits.
  7. 7. There will also continue to be, as occasion requires, meetings at ministerial level between United Kingdom Ministers responsible for security matters and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland or other ministerial member of the Joint Security Committee.
  8. 8. The object of all these arrangements is to ensure that the security forces fulfil effectively their joint rôle. This may be defined as the maintenance of peace and order, the firm and impartial enforcement of the law and the combating of subversion. In the context of subversive activity it is affirmed once again that Northern Ireland's position within the United Kingdom is a matter for the Parliament and people of Northern Ireland and will be maintained by both Governments against all kinds of violent or subversive activity.
  9. 9. The methods by which the security forces are discharging their joint rôle have been reviewed. While it would clearly be inappropriate to announce detailed tactics, the aim of the security forces in riot situations is, as stated after the London meeting on 18th January, 1971, "not simply to contain riotous behaviour but to seek out and subject to the rule of law those who take part in it and particularly those who foment and lead it". The dispersal of crowds, searches for offensive weapons where there is reason to believe they are being held or used and, when necessary, control of movement are and will be undertaken not as punitive measures directed against the innocent but as an essential part of the vigorous action required to bring to an end the violence which has done Northern Ireland so much harm.
  10. 10. Ministers noted with satisfaction the effective rôle already being played by the Ulster Defence Regiment and the steady buildup in its strength. In the White Paper of 219 November, 1969, an ultimate strength not exceeding 6,000 was envisaged as a ceiling, but not as a target figure. The Secretary of State for Defence has now agreed that recruitment to the Ulster Defence Regiment will be directed to the quickest possible build-up to a force of 6,000 men.
  11. 11. These measures to enforce the law and restore peace and stability are an integral and essential part of the programme approved and supported by both Governments for improving the quality and standard of life in every part of Northern Ireland.

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