§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set up an immediate inquiry into the situation arising out of the entry of the men of the Parachute Regiment, Belfast, into Douglas Street, Belfast, on Sunday, 21st May; what evidence he has of guns being used against the troops; how many shots the troops fired; at whom these shots were directed; with what result; and what sort of weapons the troops used.
534W
§ Mr. David HowellAbout midnight on the night of 20th–21st May, 1972, 10 barricades were built in the Willowfield area in East Belfast. Large crowds gathered, and the leaders, after four hours of discussions, still refused to remove the barricades. At approximately 4.40 a.m., troops moved in and the way was cleared by 6.15 a.m. During this period, shots were fired on troops breaking through the barricade at Willowfield Street. Fire was returned at a gunman who was seen firing an automatic weapon from a roof in the Douglas Street area; several other armed men were seen in the same area. Throughout the operation the army returned some 30 rounds. Rubber bullets also were fired. There were no fatalities, but one male civilian was admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to set up an inquiry into this incident.