§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the numbers of clergymen who have been taken to RUC stations in County Armagh as a result of their refusal to be searched by members of the security forces:
(2) what exemptions, if any, have been given to clergymen in Northern Ireland against personal searching, car searching and questioning by members of the security forces.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI understand from the chief constable that since 1st January 1976 one clergyman has been taken to a police station in County Armagh as a result of refusal to be searched by members of the security forces. There is no exemption for clergymen, or for any other section of the community in this regard, and there have been examples of criminals using clerical disguises.
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