§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what provisions there are enabling a member of the armed forces to exercise his right as a citizen 82W patrol duties as my previous answers indicate.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Defence why members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are now used extensively for night guard duties at the Ulster Defence Regiment H.Q. Clooney, Londonderry; why there has been an expansion of the use of Ulster Defence Regiment personnel on this duty since this camp first came into use by the armed forces; and if he expects the practice to cease.
§ Mr. Robert C. Brown:There has been no increase in night, or day, guard duties for the UDR since Clooney base was opened. Furthermore, the UDR has been relieved of the requirement to guard Coolkeeragh power station at night and has therefore had a reduction in static duties overall.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been murdered since the regiment was formed; and, of these, how many were Presbyterians, Church of Ireland, Methodist, Baptist, Roman Catholic and other denominations, respectively.
§ Mr. Robert C. Brown:I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave in the House on 9th November 1978 [Vol. 957, c. 332]. For those years in which members of the regiment were murdered, the breakdown into religious denominations is as follows:
to write to the press on other than military matters;
(2) what provisions there are enabling a member of the Armed Forces to exercise his right as a citizen to communicate with his Member of Parliament.
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§ Dr. Gilbert:Under Queen's Regulations, Service personnel may not engage in public discussion of politically controversial topics, nor may they disclose official information without prior authority. Subject to these constraints, a member of the Armed Forces is at liberty to write to the press or make a personal approach to his Member of Parliament on any matter of concern to him, whether military or otherwise.