HC Deb 25 April 1978 vol 948 cc512-3W
27. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about operations in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The Armed Forces' operations in support of the police in Northern Ireland continue to meet with success. As I saw for myself when I visited the Province earlier this month, the morale of the troops remains high and their determination is as strong as ever.

Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Armed Forces have been convicted of offences in Northern Ireland since 1969; and, of these, how many received non-custodial sentences and how many custodial sentences, broken down for the individual years 1969 to 1978.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

This information is not held centrally and cannot be assemebled at the short notice given by my hon. Friend. I shall have investigations made and will write to my hon. Friend to give her any data that can be made available.

Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment since 1960 have been convicted of offences; and, of those, how many were offences which involved violence, namely, assault.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

At the short notice given by my hon. Friend it is impossible to assemble the information required. I shall write to her.