HC Deb 10 December 1976 vol 922 cc367-9W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has that the UDR has been infiltrated by an alleged loyalist fifth column.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

None. The UDR has a deserved reputation for impartiality and, as I advised my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 28th October, I am satisfied that the security procedures to exclude members of extremist organisations from the regiment are as stringent as they can be.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total strength of the UDR at the last available date; and how many members are serving full-time.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

On 30th November 1976 the total strength of the UDR was 7,709. Of these 1,622 were members of the non-Regular permanent staff.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications for membership in the UDR were received in July, August, September, October and November 1976, respectively; and how these compare with the corresponding figures for 1975.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The number of applications was as follows:

1976 1975
July … … 149 271
August … … 275 248
September … … 376 326
October … … 285 244
November … … 245 255
Total … … 1,330 1,344

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications for membership of the UDR were not successful from 1st July 1976 to 30th November 1976; and how these compare with the corresponding figure for 1975.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

From 1st July to 30th November 1976, 323 applications were rejected, compared with 233 during the same period last year.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many full-time members of the UDR serving on guard duties in Belfast have been attacked while on duty by IRA terrorists; what type of weapon were used; and what arrests were made;

(2) how many full-time members of the UDR serving on guard duties in Belfast have been attacked when off duty by IRA terrorists; what type of weapons were used; and what arrests were made.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

I regret that it would require disproportionate effort to provide all the information requested, particularly in respect of previous years. Since 1st November 1975 there have been 33 serious attacks by terrorists, including 16 shooting attacks, on members of the UDR in Belfast. 20 of these attacks were on personnel who were off duty.