HC Deb 17 November 1972 vol 846 cc229-30W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions during 1972 the army or police have been fired on from the Southern Irish side of the Border.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Between 1st January and 15th November, 1972 the army and police have been fired at on 135 occa- sions from south of the Border with the Irish Republic.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will list the total number of guns, ammunition and explosives found by the security forces in each month during 1972.

Mr. Blaker

The following items have been found by the army in circumstances indicating an intention to use them unlawfully:

Firearms Ammunition (rounds) Explosives (lb.)
1972
January 98 14,800 1,000
February 102 18,300 600
March 78 15,300 1,100
April 74 12,300 1,400
May 52 10,200 800
June 58 1,700 5,000
July 101 13,900 3,300
August 253 44,200 10,200
September 116 17,300 4,900
October 145 13,000 2,100

The figures given for explosives include amounts recovered from dismantled devices as well as those discovered in searches.

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