§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence how many unauthorised flights have been made by military aircraft of the Irish Republic over Northern Ireland in the last six months; what type of aircraft made these flights; and over what parts of Northern Ireland they were made.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI have received reports of three unauthorised flights by military aircraft within the last six months. All three were Alouette helicopters similar to those used by the Army of the Republic of Ireland. They were sighted heading in a north-westerly direction: two over Omagh, one over Victoria Bridge near Strabane. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark) on 11th November, these helicopters may have been engaged in the transfer of hospital patients. Such flights are not regarded as having any security significance.—[Vol. 825, c.260.]
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§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence why British subjects born in Northern Ireland are now required, when filling in enlistment papers for Her Majesty's Forces, to list their nationality as British/Irish.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe Army and the Royal Air Force required applicants to state both nationality and country of birth on their application forms (e.g. British (English), British (Welsh)). This is not a new requirement nor it is confined to applicants born in Northern Ireland, who could, if they wished, describe themselves as British (Northern Ireland) or British (Ulster).
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what arrangements he is making for troops in Northern Ireland serving there over the Christmas period to have special relaxation and recreation; and if he is prepared to support with a special money grant the Lord Mayor of Belfast's appeal fund for this purpose.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe amount of relaxation and recreation which the troops will enjoy over Christmas will depend on the operational situation at that time. However, we shall do all we can to see that the troops have as much time off as possible. We shall also be making the customary arrangements for extra Christmas fare, and generally seeing that as far as the situation permits the troops are able to celebrate Christmas in the traditional manner. We much appreciate the Lord Mayor of Belfast's wish to recognise the good work of the troops in some tangible way, but we have no plans to make a grant from public funds.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what steps the security forces are now proposing to take, in view of the many Irish Republican Army attacks and robberies on post offices in Northern Ireland, to give better security to Post Office personnel and properties in the province.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithPost Offices and other business premises will continue to receive particular attention from Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary patrols.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what attacks have been 224W mounted from the Irish Republic at troops cratering cross-border roads in Northern Ireland; how many shots have been fired in these incidents at the security forces; how many casualties have resulted; and how many shots have the Army returned and with what effect.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithUp to 17th November there have been 13 incidents in which an estimated 500 rounds have been fired from positions identifiably within the Republic at troops engaged in road blocking operations. Three soldiers were wounded. In nine of the incidents the Army returned fire, firing a total of 830 rounds. It is believed that at least three terrorists have been hit.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister (A State for Defence what amount of Irish Republican Army arms, ammunition, etc., was uncovered by security forces at Martinstown, County Antrim, recently; what particular type of shotgun cartridges were also discovered; and how many arrests were made.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIn the early hours of 15th November, security forces discovered the following items at a farm in Knockanully, Martinstown:
28 shotguns. 20 rifles. 4 pistols and revolvers. 1 anti-tank rifle. 1 sub-machine gun. 9,840 rounds of ammunition. 1,144 shotgun cartridges. 1 hand grenade. 1 plunge igniter. 1,500 ft. fuze. 45 lbs. Explosives. A lorry was also found, with a concealed compartment large enough to hold six men. The shotgun cartridges included 70 of the solid shot type. I understand that two men were arrested by the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence how many unapproved road crossings from Northern Ireland into the Irish Republic have now been cratered by the Army; how many of these have ben filled by republicans; and how many of these have been re-cratered.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithIn all, 123 unapproved road crossings have been blocked by various means including 225W cratering. Of these, 82 were subsequently repaired, but 37 of these have since been reblocked.