§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the number of men who have joined the Ulster Defence Regiment since 24th March, 1972, when Stormont was suspended; how this compares with the same period immediately prior to that date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithSince 22nd March, 1972, 1,240 men have joined the Ulster Defence Regiment and 2,827 joined in a similar period immediately before then.
These figures are a reflection of the general trend in the application rate.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence how much money was spent on advertising for recruits for the Ulster Defence Regiment in the three months before 24th March, 1972, when Stormont was suspended, and in the three months since that date; and when the last advertisement was inserted either in the Press or television.
Mr. G. Johnson Simth£9,494 and £6,956, respectively. Advertising is continuing, mainly on a local basis.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are engaged on active service in an average week; what percentage this represents of the total membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and whether more men can be called out on duty.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that the information is not available on a weekly basis. On average, about 2,000 members of the UDR are at present on duty in each period of 24 hours, representing 24 per cent. of the strength of trained members of the Regiment. In the event of a full call-out of the Force, it is estimated that at present some280W 6,300 men would be available for duty, allowing for absences on holiday.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what was the numerical strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment on 1st July, 1972;
(2) what percentage of the membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment on 1st July, 1972 was from Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe numerical strength on 28th June, 1972, which is the nearest date for which figures are available, was 8,865, of which 4.7 per cent. were Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what percentage of resignations from the Ulster Defence Regiment during June, 1972 was from Roman Catholics;
(2) how many resignations from the Ulster Defence Regiment were received during June, 1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithForty-three, of which 13.9 per cent. were from Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what percentage of the applications rejected for membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment during June, 1972 was from Roman Catholics;
(2) how many applications to join the Ulster Defence Regiment were rejected during June, 1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithFifty-three, of which 5.6 per cent. were from Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what percentage of the applications accepted for membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment during June, 1972 was from Roman Catholics;
(2) how many applications to join the Ulster Defence Regiment were accepted during June, 1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithTwo hundred and fifty-three, of which 1.2 per cent. were from Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what percentage of the applications to join the Ulster Defence 281W Regiment received during June, 1972 was from Roman Catholics;
(2) how many applications to join the Ulster Defence Regiment were received during June, 1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithTwo hundred and seventy-five, of which 3.6 per cent. were from Roman Catholics.