Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the incident centre in Londonderry closed; during its time of operation, on how many occasions his officials used it to make contact with the PIRA or other Republican body; on how many occasions these bodies or organisations used it to make contact with his officials; and if he will give the date of the occasions contact was established and the reasons for such contact.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Government incident centre in Londerry closed on Wednesday 12th November 1975.
During its period of operation my officials contacted the Provisional Sinn Fein on 51 occasions and the Provisional Sinn Fein contacted officials by the same means on 70 occasions. At no time did officials 82W deal with any republican organisation other than th Provisional Sinn Fein.
Contact was made to clear up misunderstandings which might have led to serious incidents. Contact was established on 15th February, and continued until 12th November. The frequency of contacts was three a week on average.