47. Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give an assurance that there is no intention of withdrawing troops from Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister recently made clear, the Army is in Northern Ireland to co-operate with the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the task of combating violence and terrorism, and of protecting the lives and livelihoods of the great majority of the citizens of Northern Ireland who want to go about their ordinary business in peace and safety. The Army will stay in Northern Ireland in whatever strength the fulfilment of that task requires.
This does not mean that units will not be redeployed or that changes in numbers will not be made, as I indicated in the debate on 4th April.—[Vol. 871, c. 1468.]