§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action was taken by the Northern Ireland Office against civil servants in Londonderry who stayed off work for one week as a protest at the Bloody Sunday incidents; and what was the number of civil servants involved in the protest; what were their gradings; what are their present postings; and what percentage of their promotions went through the board procedure, and what percentage by notice or direct application for post.
§ Mr. DunnThe Northern Ireland Office was not in existence at the beginning of 1972 and the action taken against Northern Ireland civil servants who absented themselves from work as a protest against the events of "Bloody Sunday" was taken by the then Ministries of the Northern Ireland Government.
The period of protest was from 31st January to 2nd February, and during, this time a total of 420 industrial and 174 non-industrial civil servants were absent from work without permission. While the majority of the absentees were in Londonderry, precise figures of work locations are not readily available.
In accordance with normal practice, pay was withheld in every case for the period of absence, and in the case of non-industrial staff written reprimands were generally issued. A written reprimand, like any other disciplinary penalty, may have an adverse effect on an officer's promotion prospects for a limited period.
Information on the gradings of the civil servants in Londonderry who took part in the protest, their present postings and details of promotion, if any, since that time is not readily available.