§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the theft of the Army document which was released by the Provisional IRA; and if he will give an assurance that a more positive policy will be employed in the campaign against the Provisional IRA.
§ Mr. HayhoeAn internal Ministry of Defence intelligence assessment of future terrorist trends in Northern Ireland, produced in December 1978, was stolen in January and subsequently came into the hands of the Provisional IRA. It released it to the Press Association on 10 May. A thorough investigation has shown that the document was one of a number of items of registered mail stolen from a train. The document which was in transit between two Army establishments was properly despatched in accordance with the procedures for handling classified material. However, as a result of this theft, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has called for an urgent review of these procedures.
I can assure the hon. Member that Her Majesty's Government will ensure that effective action will continue to be taken against the terrorists.