HC Deb 04 November 1971 vol 825 cc5-8W
Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will list the types of weapon used against security forces in Northern Ireland since August, 1969, indicating which of these appear to bear origin from countries out- side Western Europe.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

Apart from nail, petrol, pipe, etc., bombs, the terrorists have used a variety of rifles, sub-machine guns, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rocket launchers. Weapons which have been discovered in arms searches have included rifles and submachine guns and 3.5 in. rockets of American manufacture. However, most of the weapons discovered are 25 or more years old; the markings on many of them are indecipherable; and the country of manufacture is no guide as to the source of supply.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence why the Army did not mount a guard at Larne Royal Ulster Constabulary station which was blown up by terrorists on the night of 26th October, 1971.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force explained the basis on which guards are provided for Royal Ulster Constabulary stations in reply to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 20th October, 1971.—[Vol. 823, c. 149–50.]

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances troops opened fire in the Turf Lodge area of Belfast on the night of 27th October; for how long the Army continued firing; with what results; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

Between 4 p.m. and midnight there were a number of shooting incidents, during which soldiers returned fire whenever the gunmen presented a clear target. Four gunmen are believed to have been hit, but no arrests were made by the Army at the time. There were no military casualties.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances two soldiers were killed in an Army observation post near Creggan Estate, Londonderry, on 27th October; who was responsible for these deaths; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At about 11 a.m. a bomb containing about 20 lb. of explosive was lobbed by unknown assailants on to the roof of an observation post in Warkes Lane, Londonderry, killing the two soldiers inside. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances boys of 13 or 14 years of age attacked an Army patrol with sub- machine guns near Springfield Road police station on the night of 26th October; what action the Army took; what action will they take in similar circumstances in the future; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

Shortly after 6 p.m. a mobile patrol was attacked by two youths, who appeared to the soldiers to be about 13 or 14 years of age. The youths fired about nine rounds at the patrol. No casualties were sustained, no shots were returned and no arrests were made by the Army at the time. The action that soldiers will take in future when fired upon will depend on the precise circumstances, but will not necessarily be dependent upon the age of the assailant.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence what action the Army took at Ballymurphy, Belfast, on 27th October, when shots were fired by four uniformed Irish Republican Army men over the cortege of Martin Forsythe, an Irish Republican Army squad leader shot by the police for subversive activities; what steps he now proposes to take to stop such incidents; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

Six men wearing black suits and berets were present at the funeral of Martin Forsythe. A volley of shots was fired and troops who were present attempted to apprehend those responsible. They were unable to do so because of the large crowd at the scene. The Army will continue to take all possible precautions to prevent such incidents.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence what Army protection was available to the Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Toome, County Antrim, its sergeant and his family, in view of the fact that the station has been bombed and the sergeant has been killed.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

I understand that Sergeant Dodds was killed in an ambush at a farm near Gallagh, where he had been investigating a fire. The Royal Ulster Constabulary station at Toome has not been bombed. It is covered by Army patrols and is guarded part-time by U.D.R. personnel.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the nature of the Army's engagement on the Tyrone border on Tuesday, 26th October; and what estimate he has formed of the number of shots fired.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith:

At approximately 9.30 a.m. four gunmen fired approximately 20 rounds from positions within the Republic at troops who were cratering a road in the Clady area. The escorting troops returned fire with 54 shots, and two gunmen are believed to have been hit.

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