§ 15. Mr. Roseasked the Minister of State for Defence what action he has taken in respect of the letter concerning the conduct of troops in Northern Ireland from Mr. P. D. McCarthy on 21st May, 1971, and Mr. McCormack on 7th June, 138W 1971; and whether the Officer Commanding B Company of the Parachute Regiment reported complaints from Mr. P. D. McCarthy on 27th May.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithTwo of the letters to which I believe the hon. Member is referring and of which I have now received copiesvia the Home Office were addressed to the Northern Ireland Government. The third letter was addressed to the Officer Commanding B Company of the Parachute Regiment, who made no report of the letter addressed to him by Mr. McCarthy.
§ 30. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Minister of State for Defence how many units of the Army have had two or more tours of duty in Northern Ireland during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithOne unit is currently serving its second four-months tour after a break of six months. This does not take account of the shorter periods of service in Northern Ireland.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Minister of State for Defence how many Army units have served or are serving their second or third tours of duty in Ulster.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithSince 1968 13 major units and five minor units have undertaken either two or three four-month tours of duty in Northern Ireland. These figures do not take account of the shorter periods of service in Northern Ireland that a number of units have undertaken for particular purposes.