§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of murders in the South Armagh area in each of the last five years to date, and the number solved in each of those years.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesFollowing is the information:
Year Number of murders in South Armagh Murders in respect of which charges have been made 1970 2 Nil 1971 5 Nil 1972 20 1 1973 18 Nil 1974 15 Nil 1975 to date 20 5
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what he estimates to be the number of licensed vehicles in the South Armagh area running on expired road fund licences; and what steps he is taking to regularise this situation.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Northern Ireland Department of the Environment collects vehicle excise duties as agent of the Department of the Environment in 839W Great Britain. It is not possible to provide an estimate of the number of unlicensed vehicles in Northern Ireland without disproportionate use of resources. Responsibility for action in relation to unlicensed vehicles lies with the police.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent officials check claims for social security benefits in the South Armagh area; and if claims before payment are subjected to investigation, and, if necessary, visits in the usual manner.
§ Mr. MoyleClaims for social security benefits in South Armagh are subject to the same checks and procedures as elsewhere in Northern Ireland. When necessary a visit is made before payment.