HC Deb 21 October 1971 vol 823 cc155-8W
17. Mr. Duffy

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the present enrolled level of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and for what duration of time new recruits are being enrolled.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

On 15th October the strength was 253 officers and 4,120 soldiers. About 75 per cent. of the soldiers have engaged to serve for three years, 9 per cent. for two years and 16 per cent. for one year.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is now the proportion of Roman Catholic officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks in the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Approximately 8 per cent. of the officers and 11 per cent. of the soldiers in the Ulster Defence Regiment are Roman Catholics.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has for new recruiting initiatives in the Ulster Defence Regiment, particularly at a local level.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At company level recruiting caravans are being used to visit local towns and villages. Officers of the Regiment are speaking at local meetings to explain its purpose and answer questions about it. Local newspapers are helping by giving publicity to regimental news and events in their area. At the headquarters of the Regiment an officer has been specially appointed to undertake full-time recruiting duties, and I am considering other proposals.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence what arrangements he is making for the Ulster Defence Regiment to serve in the area from which the men are recruited, particularly in Belfast.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

New battalions and additional companies and platoons are being raised in areas including Belfast where the numbers of serving volunteers and recruits indicate that a viable subunit would be supported. As the strength of the Regiment increases so will opportunities increase for members to serve nearer their homes than hitherto.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many recruiting points there are in Northern Ireland for the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will list these and what plans he has to extend them.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At present, recruits may be enrolled at Battalion and Company Headquarters at 35 separate locations. Application forms for enrolment may be obtained at these and over 200 other locations comprising Army Careers Information Offices, Police Stations, Post Offices, T.A.V.R. Centres and mobile recruiting caravans.

With the planned increase in the size of the Regiment, there will be more locations at which recruits may be enrolled and we are planning to increase the number of recruiting caravans.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has for recruiting for the Ulster Defence Regiment in conjunction with employers, trade unions and local authorities, respectively.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

The Colonel Commandant and the Advisory Council of the Ulster Defence Regiment and individual battalion commanders and their officers are continuing to make personal contacts with employers, trade unions and local authorities with a view to obtaining their co-operation in recruiting for the Regiment.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister State for Defence what plans he has for improving the equipment of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and in particular in equipping them with self-loading rifles and Shoreland armoured cars.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Issue of the self-loading rifle to the Ulster Defence Regiment began in September, 1971 and should be completed by the end of December. The new battalions will also be issued with self-loading rifles. Following trials undertaken by the Ulster Defence Regiment since early this year, it has been decided to equip the border companies of the Regiment with Shoreland armoured patrol cars. Some vehicles are now in use, and others are now on order for delivery in early 1972. Other proposals for improvements in U.D.R. equipment, including vehicles and specialised clothing, are currently being considered.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has for creating new battalions of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Mr. G. Johnston Smith

It is planned to form an additional battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment in each of Co. Tyrone, Co. Antrim and Belfast in December, 1971 or January, 1972. Further new battalions of the Ulster Defence Regiment will be formed elsewhere as required when strength of the existing units increases sufficiently.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has for the Ulster Defence Regiment to guard key industrial units, electricity stations and other public installations.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

The Ulster Defence Regiment already guards key points. As the strength of the Regiment grows, with new recruis becoming available, it will be able to undertake an even greater number of these guard duties than at present.