§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the population of Strabane, County Tyrone; how many of its inhabitants have been killed since 1968; how many explosions and of what size have taken place on business premises there since 1968, distinguishing how many shops damaged belonged to Roman Catholics and Protestants, respectively; and whether he will give financial assistance to shop owners where businesses have suffered and increase the security protection of the area.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe population of the urban district of Strabane at the time of the 1971 census was 9,413.
Since 1968, 11 people have been killed as a result of terrorist activity. This figure includes one policeman, two soldiers, one member of the UDR and two non-resident civilians. The other five were local residents.
There have been 44 explosions at business premises in Strabane during the period 1969 to 1973. Of these, 28 have occurred at Protestant-owned premises, 13 at Roman Catholic-owned premises, and three at banks. Information about the size of the explosions is not available.
Security arrangements in the area are kept under constant review.
Grants are available from the Department of Commerce under the security staff grants scheme towards the cost of employing additional security personnel and it is open to all businesses in Strabane, and elsewhere in the Province, which employ a minimum of 10 people to take advantage of the scheme.