§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Minister of State for Defence what information and warning has been given to British troops in Northern Ireland about the risks of criminal prosecution to which they are open in committing assaults on internees.
§ Lord BalnielI do not accept the hon. Member's reference to assaults on internees. The Army has been instructed that it must always use only the minimum necessary force in carrying out its duties in aiding the civil power in Northern Ireland, and its outstanding record of restraint has been generally acknowledged.
§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Minister of State for Defence what civilian medical advice was sought before subjecting internees in Northern Ireland 79W to a diet of one slice of bread every six hours.
§ Lord BalnielEvery detainee was examined on arrival at the interrogation centre and certified fit to be interrogated by a Service medical officer who was fully familiar with the conditions of interrogation including the detainees' diet. Thereafter each detainee was visited daily by the medical officer. The need for civilian medical advice did not arise.
§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Minister of State for Defence what non-Service professional medical authority was consulted about the medical effects and the general propriety of the bombardment by electronic sonic waves of internees in Northern Ireland while kept on a diet of one slice of bread every six hours.
§ Lord BalnielNone was required. Professional Service medical advice was available.
§ Mr. Muddasked the Minister of State for Defence what quantities and categories of illegal arms, ammunition, etc., and from what countries of manufacture, have been identified by the security forces in Northern Ireland and by the security forces and other agencies in England, since the apprehensions and interrogations of 9th August, 1971.
§ Mr. LambtonArms finds in Northern Ireland between 9th August and 29th November have included the following:
- 134 rifles.
- 15 automatic weapons.
- 116 pistols and revolvers.
- 35 shotguns.
- over 76,000 rounds of ammunition.
- 1,950 lbs. of explosives.
- 95 grenades.
- 583 pipe/petrol/nail bombs.
Certain of these items were homemade, but others have been identified as having been made in Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and U.S.S.R. However, most of the weapons are 25 or more years old, and the country of manufacture is no guide as to the source of supply. The second part of the question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary but I understand that the figures are not available in the form requested without disproportionate effort.