§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of State for Defence how many young persons under the age of 15 years have been arrested in Northern Ireland by members of the British Army for offences other than offences under the Special Powers Act; for how long they were detained; what sentences were imposed; and what were the shortest and the longest times before their parents or legal guardians of the young people involved were informed
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithBetween 1st August, 1971, and 28th January, 1972, 39 such arrests of children and young persons were made. Those arrested were handed over as quickly as possible to the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Their subsequent detention, the informing of their parents or legal guardians and any court proceedings are matters for the Northern Ireland authorities.
§ Mr. Delargyasked the Minister of State for Defence how many persons have been arrested, stopped in the streets and searched, respectively, by the Army in the last three months in Newry.
33W
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that the information cannot be supplied in the detail requested without disproportionate effort.
§ Mr. James Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence what was the duration of the clash between soldiers at Forkhill, Northern Ireland and terrorists operating from the Eire side of the Border on 27th January, 1972; how many rounds of ammunition were fired; and how many terrorists were believed to have been hit.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithBetween 8.35 a.m. and 11.10 a.m., when they withdrew, terrorists within the territory of the Republic of Ireland fired about 500 rounds of automatic and rifle fire at an Army ammunition technical officer (who was attempting to defuse a large explosive device) and escorting troops. Soldiers returned 3,704 rounds. Two terrorists were believed to have been hit. There were no casualties among the security forces.