HC Deb 28 June 1971 vol 820 cc46-8W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army explosives expert examined a 23 lb. booby trap uncovered by the police at the Armagh-Blackwater-town Road Northern Ireland on Monday night 21st June; how this booby trap was constructed; what amount of gelignite it contained and what weight of nails and bolts; and how it was to be detonated.

Mr. Lambton

After a report had been received Army technical experts dismantled a device containing approximately 16 lbs. of explosive and 7 lbs. of nails, bolts and other metal in a gas cylinder. It had originally been prepared for electrical detonation.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) under what circumstances the Royal Ulster Constabulary handed over to an Army explosives expert two sticks of gelignite found behind Crumlin Cinema in Belfast on Monday, 21st June; whether the gelignite was wired up for detonation; what the results of the Army experts investigation were: and what arrests have been made;

(2) under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to Henrietta Street off the Markets area, Belfast, in the early morning of Tuesday, 22nd June, after a terrorist bomb explosion; at what time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived on the scene; what the result was of the investigations; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted;

(3) under what circumstances an Army explosives expert was called to the junction of High Street and Bridge Street, Belfast, on the night of Monday, 21st June, after a terrorist 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. Lambton

The information contained in these Questions cannot be confirmed from Army records.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the exact number of canisters and cartridges of CS gas fired at Orangemen in Dungiven, Northern Ireland on Sunday, 13th June.

Mr. Lambton

Eight grenades and seven cartridges of CS smoke were used.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was exact number of rubber bullets fired by the Army at Orangemen in Dungiven, Northern Ireland, on Sunday, 13th June.

Mr. Lambton

Fourteen.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under whose orders the Army removed an Ulster flag from the home of Mr. Alfred Gorman, Belmont Street, Beersbridge Road, Belfast, on or about Sunday, 20th June, while Mr. Gorman was on duty with the Territorial Army; the troops of what regiment were involved; why the flag staff was broken; when the flag was returned; what compensation was offered; what explanation given; and if he will give an undertaking that Union flags and Ulster flags will not be so removed in the future.

Mr. Lambton

Those responsible for this incident were not acting under orders and they have been disciplined.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Minister of State for Defence what protection was given by the Army to Lurgan Royal Ulster Constabulary station prior to the bomb attack on Sunday 20th June, 1971.

Mr. Kirk

Lurgan R.U.C. Station comes under the general protective arrangements of the local military formation, but it would not be in the interests of security to reveal details of what those arrangements are at any particular time.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now consider using full-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment for the protection of Royal Ulster Constabulary stations in Northern Ireland, in the examination he is giving to this question.

Mr. Kirk

As was stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 22nd June, the Army already assists with improved security arrangements for R.U.C. stations. The formation of a full time battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment is still under consideration but it would be within the scope of the approved policy for the Ulster Defence Regiment to guard such locations.—[Vol. 819, c.266–7.]

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