HC Deb 24 April 1978 vol 948 cc429-30W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is now the demarcation of responsibilities between Royal Navy and Army duties in Northern Ireland; and how these rseponsibilities differ from those prevailing in 1968, 1972 and 1975.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

All three Services of the Armed Forces assist the Civil Power in Northern Ireland in maintaining law and order, but the main responsibility for providing assistance rests with the Army. Royal Navy operations are mainly confined to coastal and lough patrols to deter the smuggling of arms and to providing some of the personnel and logistic support for the Security Forces. There has been no significant change in the demarcation of responsibilities between Royal Navy and Army since the Armed Forces were called in to assist the civil powers.