§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence why no arrangements have so far been made for a fully mobilised full-time platoon of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord BalnielI refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on this subject on 16th March, 1972.
Recruiting has somewhat declined since that date and has averaged 97 500W applications a week during the last five weeks.
In accordance with the policy of expanding the regiment in areas of good recruiting, it has been decided to form a new battalion of the UDR, 11th (Craigavon) Battalion. It will form on 1st July next.— [Vol. 833, c. 741–2.]
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) whether he will intervene to secure the quicker turn-round of Shorland armoured cars, which are in need of repair; and whether he is satisfied with the present position;
(2) what is the average length of time taken for return to active use of Shorland armoured cars in need of repair; and how many of the Shorland armoured cars on the strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment are currently being repaired.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithAt present, three of the Shorland amoured cars on the strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment are undergoing repairs and modification. The time taken for such work averages at present about one month, but we are seeking ways to achieve a quicker turn-round.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now consider undertaking a new recruitment drive for the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if. in addition to Press and television advertising, he will send representatives of the Regiment to seek to talk to students and staff of the universities, teacher training colleges and the Northern Ireland Polytechnic and large firms.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithA new recruiting drive is already being considered, although this will be concentrated on particular localities where the need is greatest. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his other suggestions, and I shall bear these in mind.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of State for Defence if the Ulster Defence Regiment has been supplied with its full complement of Shorland armoured cars; and how many have still to be supplied.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 18th May 501W to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison)—[Vol. 837, c. 152.]
§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will give details of the incident which occurred at Crossmaglen, County Armagh, on Wednesday, 17th May, 1972.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI gave details of this incident in my reply to the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) on 22nd May.—[Vol. 837, c.289.]