§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been an official inquiry into the death of the three fusiliers in South Armagh last month; and, if so, whether the Secretary of State will publish the outcome of the inquiry.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownA full inquiry was, as is the normal practice, carried out into the tragic incident near Crossmaglen on 22nd November last year in which three soldiers were murdered and a fourth very seriously wounded. The broad conclusion of the inquiry was that the present policy of operating both overtly and covertly in South Armagh is the right one, given the nature of the threat there. It would not, however, be in the interests of security to publish the detailed findings of the inquiry.
§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the fusiliers who were ambushed last month in South Armagh were equipped with phosphorus smoke grenades.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe patrol ambushed near Crossmaglen on 22nd November last year was not carrying phosphorus smoke grenades.
§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the security forces in South Armagh are now equipped with phosphorus smoke grenades.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownYes.
514Wber of civilians employed by his Department under separate Service heads in 1970, 1973 and 1975.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe figures requested are as follows: