Northern Ireland

HC Deb 08 July 1971 vol 820 cc457-62W

Miss Devlin

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will instruct soldiers giving evidence to inquests on the deaths of those killed by the British Army in Northern Ireland to offer to identify themselves.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Leaving aside the fact that the terms of the hon. Member's Question prejudge the issue which the coroner's court is intended to determine, the treatment of witnesses and evidence in a coroner's court is a matter for the coroner and not for me. If the hon. Member has in mind the recent inquests into the deaths of two civilians, I would point out that the names of the witnesses were made available to the coroner.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an angry crowd of Republicans was allowed by the Army to gather after the Leeson Street, Belfast, ambush on Sunday, 4th July, on the Grovenor Road entrance to the mostly Protestant Malt Street; why this street was left unprotected by the Army resulting in two policemen having to brandish revolvers to prevent bloodshed; and if he will ensure that this street will have Army protection in the future.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

The circumstances in which angry crowds gather in Belfast are complex. The tactical arrangements made by the security forces to preserve peace and maintain order, including the division of responsibility for particular tasks between the Army and the R.U.C., must be left to the local commanders concerned.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many nail bombs were thrown at an Army patrol at the junction of Theodore Street/Gibson Street, Belfast, on Sunday, 4th July; how many of these exploded; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

Mr. Johnson Smith

I have no reports of nail bombs being thrown at an Army patrol on the date in question, but I am aware that three nail bombs exploded in this general area. A house was searched, but 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 permitted Roman Catholic youths to approach a re-routed Orange parade in the Crumlin Road area of Belfast on Friday, 2nd July; why these youths were allowed to assemble and attack the troops with stones; how many rubber bullets were fired before the mob dispersed; why no gas was used as on the Orangemen in Dungiven; and how many arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

There were a few minor disturbances connected with the annual parade of No. 1 District of the Belfast Orange Order in the Crumlin/Shankill area on 2nd July.

Twenty baton rounds in all were fired at those stoning the troops. No arrests were made by the Army at the time. The decision on the appropriate tactics for dealing with any situation is a matter for the commander on the spot.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence as Orange halls in Northern Ireland are now the target for Irish Republican Army attacks, if he will ensure that they receive the same type of security protection on request as is given to Roman Catholic chapels on request.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Arrangements for the protection of life and property are made by the security forces on operational criteria and without regard to political or religious considerations.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army Land Rover was ambushed in Leeson Street, Belfast, on Sunday, 4th July; what sort of guns were used by the Irish Republican Army terrorists; how many shots were fired; what injuries resulted; if the Army returned fire; how quickly the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

An Army mobile patrol travelling south down Leeson Street was overtaken by a civilian car which then stopped at the junction of Leeson Street/McDonnell Street. When the patrol was some 66 yards from the junction two men in the car opened fire with automatic weapons, wounding two soldiers and two civilians. The precise number of shots fired is not known. There was no opportunity to return fire, and the gunmen escaped. The area was cordoned within 10 minutes and, in addition to the usual investigations at the scene of the incident, a house which the gunmen were thought to have entered was searched. No arrests have so far been made by the Army; nor has the identity of the assailants been established.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) under what circumstances shots were fired at an Army patrol in William Street, Londonderry on Monday, 5th July; if the fire was returned; and what searches were made and arrests effected.

(2) under what circumstances petrol bombs were thrown at soldiers in Colmcille Court, Londonderry, on Monday morning, 5th July; what action the Army took; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

There was a series of disturbances involving a number of youths in this part of Londonderry. Petrol bombs were thrown, and it was believed shots may have been fired. The Army took action to disperse those causing the disturbances, but made no arrests.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to Dungiven Orange Hall, Northern Ireland, after a number of explosions had wrecked the hall recently; what was the result of his investigations; what searches resulted: and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

In the early hours of 26th June an Army ammunition technical officer was called to Dungiven Orange Hall following explosions there. The usual checks for evidence and searches to ensure that there was no explosive remaining in or around the building were made. It was concluded that the main explosion had been caused by 10 to 15 lb. of explosive. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many gelignite bombs were thrown at an Army post outside the Headquarters of the Queen's University Officers Training Corps, Malone Road, Belfast, on Saturday, 3rd July; how many of these exploded; if the post was also attacked by gunfire; if the fire was returned; if the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Eight nail bombs were thrown. Three exploded but without causing damage. The post was at the same time attacked by gunfire, which was returned by the sentries. The attackers escaped in a car, details of which were recorded. A search was instituted but no arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many gelignite bombs were thrown at an Army mobile patrol at Turf Lodge flats on the Springfield Road on Sunday, 4th July; how many of these exploded; if the area was searched; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Four nail bombs were thrown, two of which exploded but without causing damage or casualties. The area was searched but the Army made no arrests at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence if the Army was called to examine Bellaghy Orange Hall, Northern Ireland, after it was wrecked by a bomb explosion on Sunday, 4th July; what action the Army took in connection with this incident; and what arrests have been made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

An Army ammunition technical officer was called in after this explosion occurred in the early hours of 4th July. He made the usual checks for evidence and searches to ensure that there was no explosive remaining 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 the Beltex Factory, Flax Street, Belfast, on Sunday, 4th July, after an explosion; what injuries to persons they found; what searches were made; if the area was sealed off; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. Johnson Smith

Shortly after 12.30 a.m. on 4th July an explosion occurred at the Beltex Factory, Flax Street. The night watchman was treated for shock; one civilian was treated for grazes to head and hands; and another was taken to hospital suffering from a heart attack. The Army ammunition technical officer conducted the usual investigations at the scene of the incident, the area having first been cleared. No arrests have so far been made by the Army in connection with this incident.