§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons known to be or thought to be Protestants have been murdered in Northern Ireland since January 1971; and how many individuals have been arrested, charged or convicted, respectively, for these murders.
§ Mr. MasonBoth communities in Northern Ireland have suffered sectarian and interfactional assassinations. To give statistics about victims by religion would exacerbate sectarian divisions. From 1st January 1973 to 19th November 1976, there were 442 sectarian or interfactional assassinations. It would not be possible to identify without disproportionate effort how many persons have been charged with these particular crimes, but over the same period 394 persons were charged with murder. Comparable figures are not available for earlier periods.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what follow-up operations took place immediately following the murder of Pte Lutton (UDR) on 940W 15th November 1976; how many house searches took place; and how many people were detained for questioning.
§ Mr. MasonIn the immediate follow-up operation to the murder of Pte Lutton in Lurgan, two houses were searched and two persons were arrested. In addition the security forces made investigations at a number of houses. The follow-up is still continuing and the police are investigating the murder.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people have been arrested and charged with the murder of RUC Constable Cush, Lurgan, July 1976, 3rd Para Pte Boruchi, Crossmaglen, August 1976 and RUC Sgt Craig, Portadown, September 1976;
(2) how many people have been arrested and charged with the murders of the following UDR personnel in County Armagh: Sgt Dickson, Lt Long, Pte Lufton, Lt Wilson, L/Cpl Reid, Pte Frazer, Cpl McConnell, L/Cpl Bell, Sgt Nesbitt, Sgt Ruddy, Pte Hill, Pte Watt, Sgt Doyle, Pte McCullough and Cpl Leggatt.