Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the number of warders in Magilligan Prison; how many are normally on duty and how many were on duty during the search of the compounds in the week ended 29th November; and what was the extra cost involved;
(2) how many extra dog handlers and dogs were drafted into Magilligan Prison in the week ended 29th November to assist the staff in their search of the compounds; and what was the cost of this operation;
(3) how many extra prison warders were drafted into Magilligan Prison in the week ended 29th November to help the staff in searches of compounds; and what was the cost of this operation;
(4) how many soldiers were brought to Magilligan Prison in the week ended 29th November to assist the staff in searches of compounds; whether they were equipped with riot gear; and what was the cost of this operation;
(5)how many searches comparable with that of the week ended 29th November have been carried out in Magilligan Prison during 1975; whether there has been any resistence during this time to any searches; whether any previous notice was given to the prisoners of any searches; whether any notice was given of the recent search; and whether any weapon was found in any search previous to that of the week ended 29th November;
(6)what was the total cost of the search operation in Magilligan Prison in the week ended 29th November; how many weapons etc. were seized; whether any members of the security forces or warders were injured; and whether any prisoners have been charged with any offence as a result of the search.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesSearches at Magil ligan Prison are an almost daily feature of prison routine, and the weekend operation was a sequel to searches of two corn-pounds on 26th and 27th November. These searches revealed 268 makeshift 267W metal weapons, 69 wooden clubs, 124 glass bottles and various other items including imitation guns.
Six prison officers received superficial injuries as a result of a scuffle with inmates on 26th November and three prisoners will face disciplinary charges arising from the incident.
It would not be in the public interest to disclose the arrangements made for the search, the strength of the prison staff at Magilligan or involved during the incident, or the strength of the Army at Magilligan.
Additional cost of the operation arose from the transport costs of the Army and overtime pay and travelling costs of prison officers who would not normally have been on duty.