§ 16. Mr. McQuadeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the murder by the Irish Republican Army of Chief Officer Bill Wright; and what steps is he now taking to give proper protection to prison staff.
§ Mr. AlisonI deeply deplore this and other murderous attacks upon members of the prison service.
Mr. William Wright was shot outside his home after returning from work at Her Majesty's prison, Belfast, on the evening of 3 December 1979. He had driven into his driveway and was walking to the rear of his house when six shots were fired from the driveway of the house next door. Mr. Wright received gunshot wounds to his back and was taken to the Royal Victoria hospital where he died. Police inquiries into Mr. Wright's murder 391W are continuing. A wide variety of measures has already been taken to increase the protection afforded to members of the prison service, and additional measures are currently under consideration. Clearly it would not be in the interests of the prison staff to discuss these matters in any detail.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extra protection is being provided for prison officers serving in the Province.
§ Mr. AlisonA wide variety of measures has already been taken to afford protection to prison staff, and additional measures are currently under consideration. Clearly it would not be in the interests of the prison staff to discuss these matters in any detail.