§ Mr. Stallardasked the Minister of State for Defence what duties the Army in Northern Ireland are at present carrying out under the provisions of the Special Powers Act, and the Northern Ireland Act, 1972; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Lord BalnielBy virtue of regulations under the Special Powers Act, the Army is empowered, principally, to exercise extended powers of arrest, to stop and search persons and vehicles, to enter and search premises, to seize articles and to block roads.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Minister of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Government about the law under which the Army is operating in Northern Ireland, in view of the Parker Report; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Lord BalnielNone. The necessary action which has been taken was announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in answer to Questions following his statement on the Parker Report on 2nd March.—[Vol. 832, c. 745.]