§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider introducing regulations which will mean that an ex-member of the UDR can determine why he has been discharged; and if he will not do so, if he will give his reasons.
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§ Mr. Robert C. BrownMembers of the UDR are informed of the reason for their discharge except where it is against the public interest to do so.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what appeal is available to a member of the UDR against the decision to discharge him if he considers that the decision has been taken as the result of inaccurate intelligence.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownA UDR member who is discharged by his commanding officer may appeal to the Defence Council whatever the reason for discharge.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits have joined the UDR in County Armagh since 1st January 1975; how many members of the UDR in County Armagh have resigned; and how many have been discharged.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownRecords in respect of recruitment to and discharge from part-time service with the Ulster Defence Regiment are not kept on a county by county basis. However, figures are available for 2nd and 11th UDR, the battalions which are based largely, although not exclusively, in County Armagh. These show that 222 members were recruited and 166 discharged during the period 1st January to 31st October 1975. All persons leaving the UDR, for whatever reason, are formally discharged and the latter figure includes 84 members who tendered their resignation before completion of their engagements.