§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the co-operation between the security forces in Northern Ireland and Her Majesty's forces in the rest of the United Kingdom regarding the surveillance of vessels around the coasts of Northern Ireland and the coasts of the Republic of Ireland; and whether any steps have been taken to improve the watch on such vessels in recent years.
§ Mr. Humphrey Atkins[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1980]: Yes. There is close and continuing co-operation between the security forces in Northern Ireland and the authorities in Great Britain to prevent the illegal importation of arms and explosives into Northern Ireland by sea. In the interests of security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of these operations. The question of surveillance within their own territorial waters is, of course, a matter for the Government of the Irish Republic.