HC Deb 21 July 1975 vol 896 cc58-9W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vehicles were searched, how many houses and other buildings were searched, and how many patrols were carried out by the security forces in the Londonderry area in the first six months of 1974 and of 1975.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The number of searches of vehicles by the Army in the Londonderry area in the first six months of 1974 was 1,403,135; the corresponding figure for 1975 was 1,934,195, which reflects a marked increase in traffic in the more peaceful conditions. The number of searches of houses and other buildings in the Londonderry area by the Army in the first six months of 1974 was 5,824; the corresponding figure for 1975 was 366. Records are not kept of the number of patrols carried out.