HC Deb 24 June 1971 vol 819 cc327-30W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to Oldpark Road, Belfast, on Sunday night, 20th June, after a shooting incident in which two men were injured; at what time the shooting took place; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At about 11 p.m. shots were fired at two men from a passing car. I understand that R.U.C. investigations are continuing, but the Army has not been directly involved in the incident.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to examine the Royal Ulster Constabulary Station in Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, after it had been bombed by the Irish Republican Army on the night of Sunday, 20th June; at what time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; what was the result of their investigations; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after the explosion, occurring at 11 p.m., Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area first having been cleared. These revealed that a charge of about five to 10 pounds had been used. No arrests have so far been made and those responsible for the incident have yet to be identified.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to examine an electric transformer at Carfield Street in the centre of Belfast on Monday, 21st June, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion; at what time the bomb exploded; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; what was the result of the investigations; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after the explosion, occurring at 2 a.m., Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area, first having been cleared. These revealed that an explosive charge of five to 10 pounds had been used. No arrests have so far been made, and those responsible for the incident have yet to be identified.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to examine the Masonic Hall in Rosemary Street in the centre of Belfast on Monday, 21st June, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion; at what time the explosion took place; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; what was the result of the investigations; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after the explosion, occurring at 2 a.m., Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area first having been cleared. These revealed that an explosive charge of five to 10 pounds had been used. No arrests have so far been made and those responsible for the incident have yet to be identified.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to examine a power station under construction at Hannahstown, Belfast, on 18th June after it had been attacked by Irish Republican Army bombers; at what time these explosions took place; at what time the Army arrived; what the findings of the investigations were; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after the explosion, occurring at about 5.30 a.m., Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area having first been cleared. These revealed that a number of explosive charges had been used. No arrests have so far been made and the identity of those responsible for for the incident has yet to be established.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to Gallaghers' tobacco factory in Meadow Street, Belfast, on Friday, 18th June, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion; at which time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived; what the findings of the investigations were; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after the explosion, occuring at about 1.30 a.m., Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area first having been cleared. These revealed that the explosion was caused by a one to two pound pipe bomb. No arrests have so far been made and those responsible for the incident have yet to be identified.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to the main Belfast to Dublin railway line near Lurgan on Monday, 21st June; what the results were of his investigations; whether the area was sealed off; what searches resulted; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

A report was received that an explosive device was on the railway track. Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area first having been cleared. Four two pound charges were found and dismantled. No arrests have so far been made.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an attempt was made to blow up two mobile patrol vehicles manned by men of the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment at Whiterock Road, Belfast, on the morning of 19th June; at what time the explosion took place; how the device was detonated; what damage was done; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after 1 a.m. a two-vehicle landrover patrol was travelling along the Whiterock Road when an explosive charge was electrically detonated inside a parked car. The car was wrecked but no damage or injury was suffered by the patrol. Road blocks were set up and searches made but no arrests have so far been made.