§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the security forces in Northern Ireland are equipped with and permitted to use (a) automatic weapons from helicopters, (b) 501W grenades, (c) mortars, (d) Claymore mines, and (e) phosphorous smoke grenades.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th January 1976; Vol. 903, cols. 275–6], gave the following information:
The security forces in Northern Ireland have available all the weapons they require to enable them to carry out their task efficiently yet using only the minimum necessary force, as required by law, and having due regard for public safety. They are equipped with automatic weapsons which could, if necessary, be used from helicopters, and grenades.