§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is aware of the mounting campaign in Northern Ireland designed to discredit the Army, the RUC and the judicial and legal legal system in Northern Ireland; and if he will take action to counteract this campaign.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10th December 1975] gave the following information:
I am well aware of the campaign to which the hon. Member refers. It takes many forms ranging from scurrilous and 346W unfounded allegations by members of illegal organisations and their supporters to unfounded criticisms by people in responsible positions.
This highly disciplined and impartial way in which the Army and the RUC together with the UDR and the RUC Reserve have carried out their very difficult tasks in Northern Ireland is deserving of the highest praise. The judicial and legal system in Northern Ireland needs no defence from anyone. The hon. Member can be assured, however, that every effort will be made to present the truth about these and other matters to the public.