§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence how much explosive material has been found intact in Northern Ireland since September, 1971; and what percentage appears to have been manufactured in the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithBetween 1st October, 1971, and 30th January, 1972, 105W the Army found intact 2,799 lbs. of explosive material in circumstances indicating an intention to use it unlawfully. This was either recovered from explosive devices or found in arms searches.
About 75 per cent. of the material appears to have been manufactured in the Republic of Ireland, as is much of the explosive legally imported into Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he has completed his arrangements for providing the Ulster Defence Regiment with self-loading rifles.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him
October, 1971 November, 1971 December, 1971 1st to 28th January, 1972 Incidents during which single shots were fired at troops 262 149 222 156 Incidents during which automatic fire was used at troops 70 54 56 41 Incidents during which troops fired 178 91 116 74
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence what new arrangements he is making for the Ulster Defence Regiment to serve in the areas from which the men are recruited, particularly in Belfast.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe steady expansion of the strength of the U.D.R. and in the number of its units and subunits increases the opportunity for members of the Regiment, including those in Belfast, to serve closer to their homes. On 1st and 15th December, 1971, 6 U.D.R. (Tyrone) and 1 U.D.R. (County Antrim) respectively, were each divided to form two additional battalions, 8 U.D.R. (Tyrone) and 9 U.D.R. (South Antrim). On 15th January, 1972, 7 U.D.R. (City of Belfast) was similarly divided to form 10 U.D.R.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence how many houses have been searched in Northern Ireland
106W
Firearms Ammunition Explosive materials October, 1971 … … … … 79 12,793 rounds 493 lbs. November, 1971 … … … … 166 57,121 rounds 426 lbs. December, 1971 … … … … 109 40,945 rounds 376 lbs. lst–28th January, 1972 … … … … 85 13,911 rounds 655 lbs. on 21st October, 1971. Issue of self-loading rifles to all trained and entitled members of the Ulster Defence Regiment is now nearly completed.—[Vol. 823, c. 157]
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions during October, November and December, 1971, and January, 1972, the Army has been fired on in Northern Ireland; and on how many occasions it has returned the fire.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that complete figures are not yet available for January, 1972. The latest information is as follows:
by the Army during the months of November and December,1971, and January,1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that complete figures are not yet available for January, 1972. The latest information is as follows:
Houses November, 1971 3,292 December, 1971 2,325 1st-28th January, 1972 2,467
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will list the total number of guns, ammunition and explosives found by the security forces in each of the following months, October, November and December, 1971, and January, 1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that complete figures are not yet available for January, 1972. The latest information on arms, ammunition and explosives seized by the Army in Northern Ireland is as follows: