§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present membership level of the Ulster Defence Regiment, both full-time and part-time; what it was at the corresponding date in each of the past 10 years; and if he will state what change of role the Ulster Defence Regiment has had over the past decade and any changes envisaged over the next 12 months.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe numbers of part-time members of the UDR on 31 March for each year since 1970 are as follows:
Part-time Full-time Total 1970* 2,243 49 2,292 1971 3,818 226 4,044 1972 7,881 595 8,476 1973 7,577 866 8,443 1974 6,951 864 7,815 1975 6,286 1,406 7,692 1976 6,117 1,528 7,645 1977 5,999 1,669 7,668 1978 5,702 2,192 7,894 1979 5,140 2,469 7,609 1980 4,816 2,554 7,370 * The figure for 1970 is taken at 30 April; the UDR was formed on 1 April 1970. The role of the UDR, which is to supplement the regular forces in Northern Ireland in supporting the RUC in the fight against terrorism, has not changed over the past 10 years; nor are any changes in this role envisaged over the next 12 months.