§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken to protect Protestant children going to and from school in the Roden Street area of Belfast; and why no action has been taken to demolish the vacant houses from which the IRA gunmen operate, killing and wounding children and other civilians, as well as members of the security forces.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThe security forces have erected a barrier to protect children going to and from school in the Roden Street area from gunmen operating in the vicinity, and their patrols operate in the area.
A number of derelict houses in the Roden Street area were demolished in May 1972, and it is hoped to demolish further houses in the near future. The extent of the demolition work is dependent on the willingness of those remaining in the area to be rehoused, and on other security considerations.