§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the events which took place in Shandon Street, Belfast, on the evening of 18th January 1977, he will give the reasons for the actions of the Army unit involved; 516W and whether compensation will be paid to those residents who had their homes wrecked during search operations.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownAt about 21.50 hours on 18th January a shot was fired from an unknown location at an Army patrol in the New Lodge area of Belfast. In the immediate follow-up a number of buildings in the area were entered in an attempt to find the gunman. In Shandon Street, a social club together with 14 occupied and six derelict houses were searched. Some damage was done in the course of these searches. The Army unit concerned has already made good certain minor damage, and the normal arrangements will apply for compensation in respect of legitimate activity by the security forces.