HC Deb 28 July 1972 vol 841 c400W
Captain Orr

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will list the changes made in instructions to the Army during the recent Irish Republican Army ceasefire.

Mr. Whitelaw

During the ceasefire it continued to be an objective of Her Majesty's Forces to apprehend people responsible for criminal offences. It is not the practice to publish detailed operational instructions to Her Majesty's Forces.

Captain Orr

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is now in a position to define the latest rôle which has been assigned to the Army in the current situation.

Mr. Whitelaw

Her Majesty's Forces continue to assist the civil authorities to preserve order and enforce the law. They have recently intensified their operations against the Provisional IRA and I gave details of their operations to the House on 24th July.