§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why it took his assessors from 19 October until 4 November to agree on the extent of the bomb damage caused to Ulster Unionist Party headquarters, Glengall Street, Belfast by the Irish Republican Army attempt to murder the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Mr. Molneaux), the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Smyth) and others on 19 October.
§ Mr. PriorAdministrative and professional members of the Criminal Damage Branch of my Department met members of the staff and professional advisers of the Unionist Party on two occasions on 20 October to discuss compensation. The claimants were asked to submit a schedule of the repairs considered necessary and an estimate of the cost. This was received on 29 October and further professional advice was sought.
The extent of the repairs was agreed at a meeting with Ulster Unionist Party advisers on 4 November. I do not consider that there was any undue delay.