§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to an electricity transformer in McClure Street, Belfast, on or about 17th July, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion ; what time the explosion took place ; what time the Army arrived ; what was the result of its investigations ; how the bomb was detonated ; what amount of damage was done ; whether the area was sealed off ; what searches were made ; and what arrests resulted.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithAt 10.30 p.m. on 17th July an electrical junction box in McClure Street was blown up by a person or persons unknown. An Army ammunition technical officer, who arrived within a few minutes of the explosion being reported, concluded that some five to ten pounds of explosive had been used and that initiation had been by means of a fuse. He carried out routine searches for evidence and to ensure that the site was free from further explosive. No 361W arrests were made by the Army at the time.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances a soldier was injured on the Donegal Road on Tuesday, 20th July ; what sort of bomb caused his injury ; whether those who threw the bomb were fired at ; whether the area was sealed off ; what searches resulted ; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithShortly after 2 a.m. on 20th July a foot patrol of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, on Donegal Road was caught in an explosion from a Claymore-type mine made up of three to five pounds of explosive and at least two pounds of scrap metal. An officer sustained a leg injury. No one was seen firing the mine, so that there was no opportunity for the patrol to open fire.
An Army ammunition technical officer made the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that the area was free from further explosive. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to the Cooperative Stores, Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, on or about Tuesday, 20th July, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion ; what time the explosion occurred ; what time the Army arrived on the scene ; what sort of bomb was used; how it was detonated; what damage was done ; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made ; and what arrests resulted.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithShortly before 11.30 p.m. on 19th July an explosion occurred at the Co-operative Store, Dunmurry. An Army ammunition technical officer, who arrived within a few minutes of the explosion being reported, estimated that five to ten pounds of uncased high explosive had been placed outside the door by a person or persons unknown. The means of detonation are not known. Minor structural damage was caused, and a small quantity of stock was damaged.
The ammunition technical officer carried out the usual searches for evidence and to ensure that the immediate 362W area was free from explosive. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence if, in view of the mounting Irish Republican Army campaign, he will strengthen the present security arrangements in Northern Ireland by organising an Ulster Home Guard.