§ 50. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will call for a report from the security forces as to the circumstances in which a car belonging to the police of the Irish Republic crossed into Northern Ireland by means of an unapproved road which had been cratered on 2nd November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithAt 10.02 a.m. on 2nd November a blue estate car belonging to the police of the Irish Republic crossed into Northern Ireland at Aghavanny, County Fermanagh. It stopped about 270 yards across the border and one policeman got out, looked around and after five minutes got back into his car and returned to the Republic. Cratering operations were in progress at the time.
§ 51. Sir E. Bullusasked the Minister of State for Defence how many troops are in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has relating to future numbers.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe current total strength of Regular and U.D.R. units amounts to some 19,000 officers and men. Future force levels will depend upon the situation at the time.
§ Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of State for Defence what steps are being taken to secure employment at the Naval Air Repair Yard, Sydenham, Northern Ireland, over the next three years.
§ Mr. KirkI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 8th July.—[Vol. 820, c.462–464.]