§ Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) if he will consult 359W the Commanding Officer of the British Forces in Northern Ireland as to the desirability of making certain areas in Ulster out of bounds to troops when they are off duty;
(2) if he will advise the Commanding Officer of the British Forces in Northern Ireland that, in view of the dangers of the present situation, troops should wear uniform at all times even off duty.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe instructions issued by the G.O.C. Northern Ireland for Service men off duty have been reviewed in accordance with the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 11th March. They are designed to deal with a changing situation, and their precise application is always under review. Restrictions are placed on visits to certain areas; entry to some is entirely forbidden. The instructions also cover the circumstances in which uniform should be worn. It is not considered to be in the best interests of Service men that they should always wear uniform in Northern Ireland.—[Vol. 813, c. 598.]