§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Cistercian Abbey, Pontglenane, Northern Ireland, was searched by the Army on Friday and Saturday, 19th and 20th November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourAfter two monks from the Abbey of Our Lady of Bethlehem, Portglenone, were found accompanying two escaped prisoners, troops searched the grounds and outbuildings of the Abbey with the R.U.C., but did not search the abbey itself. The search was conducted to ensure that neither any other escaped prisoners nor any illegal arms, etc., were there. Nothing of security significance was discovered.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an ambulance carrying a wounded terrorist evaded the Army in the Mayard area of Turf Lodge, Belfast, on Tuesday, 23rd November, and subsequently at Forkhill, County Armagh; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourAt about 5.30 p.m. troops observed an ambulance in the Ballymurphy area. Approximately two hours later, troops at Forkhill observed an ambulance turning left in the direction of Newry. No attempt was made in either case to stop the ambulance. I have no evidence that these incidents were connected or that they involved a wounded terrorist.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what number of youths of 17 years of age and under have been arrested by the Army in Northern Ireland during the past six months;
(2) how many women have been arrested by the security forces in Northern Ireland during the last six months, and in what districts these arrests took place.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourI regret that it is impracticable without disproportionate effort to provide all the information in the precise form required by the hon.460W Member; and in particular to give figures by districts.
Between 1st June and 25th November the Army arrested the following with a view to their being charged with specific offences of a security nature:
Youths under the age of 18 231 Women and girls 16
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence how many people from the Irish Republic took part in a riot in Strabane on the night of Tuesday, 23rd November; what action the Army took; what numbers of rubber bullets were fired; what amount of CS gas was used; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe information I have received is that about 20 to 30 youths took part in the riot. It is not known how many—if any—of these came from the Irish Republic. Nine CS cartridges and three rubber bullets were fired and the crowd dispersed across the border. No arrests were made at the time.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what action the Army took in the Duncairn/New Lodge Road area of Belfast on the night of Tuesday, 23rd November, when they were attacked by a stone throwing mob; what number of rubber bullets were fired; and with what effect; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourBetween 10.30 p.m. and midnight troops, operating jointly with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, dispersed a number of crowds in the area. During the period three baton rounds were fired. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances a soldier was shot by an Irish Republican Army sniper on Tuesday, 23rd November, in Belfast; what was the extent of his injuries; if the fire was returned and with what effect; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourAt about 1.15 p.m. a single high-velocity shot was fired from the area of Colin Street at the observation post in Howard Street. A sentry 461W was hit in the side; he was admitted to hospital but his condition was not serious. Fire was not returned and no arrests were made by the Army at the time.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence how many shots were fired at an Army helicopter by the Irish Republican Army in Londonderry on Tuesday, 23rd November; with what result; what action the Army took; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourAt about 2.15 p.m., 16 shots were fired at the helicopter, but it was not hit. The gunman was not seen and therefore fire was not returned. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.