§ 4. Mr. O'Halloranasked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has for making a further official visit to Northern Ireland.
§ Lord BalnielI have no plans to make a further visit to Northern Ireland in the immediate future ; however, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army did so on 5th–7th July.
§ 25. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of State for Defence how many separate incidents involving the use by terrorists of explosives, incendiary devices and firearms have been investigated by the security forces acting under the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland since 1st January, 1970 ; how many arrests have been made ; how many convictions obtained ; and in how many cases it has been established that members of known Republican groups have been concerned.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that the information requested in the first part of the Question could not be provided without the expenditure of undue time and effort. I can say, however, that the total number of persons arrested and handed over to the civil authority by the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland between 1st January, 1971, and 9th July, 1971, was 860. I understand that 456 convictions have so far resulted. I am not aware that any of these convictions was for membership of an illegal organisation.
§ 31. Mr. O'Halloranasked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has relating to the number of troops on active service in Northern Ireland ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe plans are to maintain military forces in Northern Ireland at a level appropriate to the security situation, and to this end they are kept under continual review.
§ 36. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of State for Defence how many searches 126W for illegal arms and ammunition have been carried out by the Army in Northern Ireland between 1st July, 1969, to 1st July, 1970, and the same period in 1970 to 1971 ; how many arms and explosives were found ; how many arrests were made and convictions obtained in connection with the possession thereof when the Army prosecuted ; and in how many cases it was established that the arms were in the possession of members of known Republican organisations in each period, respectively.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that the information is not readily available in the form requested. Between 1st January, 1971, and 30th June, 1971, searches were as follows :
Vehicles 346,385 Unoccupied buildings 5,793 Occupied buildings 1,234 Open areas 1,505 Quarries 41 Arms finds in the whole of 1970 were :
108 pistols. 84 rifles. 10 automatic weapons. 28 grenades. 543 lbs. of explosive. 50,166 rounds of ammunition. 1,739 detonators and primers. In the period 1st January, 1971, to 1st July, 1971, arms finds amounted to :
75 pistols. 49 rifles. 2 automatic weapons. 50 grenades. 710 lbs. of explosive. 35,619 rounds of ammunition. 1,288 detonators and primers. Between 4th July, 1970, and 31st December, 1970, there were 94 arrests by the Armed Services for possession of arms, explosives and petrol bombs ; those arrested were handed over to the civil authorities on whom the responsibility rests for prosecution. I understand that 22 convictions resulted. Between 1st January, 1971, and 9th July, 1971, there were 49 arrests in the same category, which have so far, I understand, resulted in 19 convictions. In no case, it is understood, was there a conviction for membership of an illegal organisation.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence how many arrests 127W the Army have made in Northern Ireland since 1st January, 1971.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIn the period 1st January, 1971, to 9th July, 1971, a total of 860 persons were arrested by the Army in Northern Ireland and handed over to the civil authority.
§ Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of State for Defence how many shots were fired against the Army in Londonderry during the week beginning 4th July ; and what fire was returned.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithDuring the week in question about 130 rounds were fired against the Army in Londonderry. In addition, numerous bomb and other attacks were made on the Army. In responding to these assaults a total of five shots was fired.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the arms finds by members of Her Majesty's Forces in Northern Ireland during the last two weeks of June.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithDuring this period arms and explosives found by the Army were as follows :
11 Firearms. 1,221 Rounds of ammunition. 205 lb. of gelignite. 194 Detonators. 827 ft. of fuse. 19 Pipe and nail bombs. 8 Grenades. 14 Booby traps. 30 Incendiary devices. 100 ft. of electric cable.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of State for Defence how many arrests have been made by the Army in Londonderry since 1st January, 1971.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIn the period 1st January, 1971, to 9th July, 1971, a total of 43 persons were arrested by the Army in Londonderry and handed over to the civil authority.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence who issued the warning to youths on the night of Wednesday 7th–8th July prior to the shooting by the Army in Northern Ireland of Seamus Cusack ; and at what time and in what manner such warning was issued.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIf the hon. Member is referring to the shooting incident which occurred in Londonderry early128W in the morning of 8th July, I have nothing to add to the statement of the Minister of State for Defence on 12th July.—[Vol. 821, c. 32.]
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence who authorised the shooting by the Army in Northern Ireland of Seamus Cusack on the night of 7th July ; and at what time and in what manner the authorisation was given.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIf the hon. Member is referring to the shooting incident which occurred in Londonderry in the morning of 8th July, the soldier who fired acted on his own responsibility under his Common Law duty.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence what soldier in Northern Ireland on 7th–8th July fired the shot which fatally wounded Seamus Cusack ; at what time this order was carried out ; and from what range Seamus Cusack was fired on.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI am not aware that it has been established that Seamus Cusack was fatally wounded when shot. On the contrary, reports suggest that his death may have been the result of his being removed to the Republic of Ireland without being given proper medical attention.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) on what evidence the Army in Northern Ireland on 7th–8th July assumed Seamus Cusack to be carrying a weapon ;
(2) what soldier or soldiers in Northern Ireland on 7th–8th July identified the weapon which was alleged to have been carried by Seamus Cusack as a rifle ;
(3) what kind of rifle it is alleged by the Army in Northern Ireland that Seamus Cusack was carrying when shot on 7th–8th July.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIf the hon. Member is referring to the shooting incident which occurred in Londonderry early in the morning of 8th July, the evidence available to the Army has been provided to the Royal Ulster Constabulary as the proper authority in this matter. The Army will continue to co-operate fully with the Royal Ulster Constabulary in its inquiries.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) on what evidence the 129W Army base the statement that the man, now identified as George Beatty, was throwing a nail-bomb when fired on, and fatally wounded, by soldiers in the vicinity of Fox's Corner on 8th July, 1971 ;
(2) what injuries were received by George Beatty when he was shot by British soldiers.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIt would be premature to deal with the points raised in these questions before an inquest has been held.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence whether soldiers giving evidence during the inquests on the deaths of Seamus Cusack and George Beatty have been instructed to volunteer to identify themselves publicly.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the British Army in Northern Ireland have recently joined the Orange Order ; and whether it is the policy of his Department to permit soldiers serving in Northern Ireland to become members of the Orange Order.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI cannot say ; this is a matter for the individual Serviceman.