HC Deb 19 December 1984 vol 70 c207W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the yellow card instructions still apply to service men before using firearms in Northern Ireland, whether or not the service men are in uniform or civilian attire.

Mr. Lee

Yes.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in which recent cases in the past year members of the armed forces have engaged in gunfire with terrorists in Northern Ireland; and if, in each case, he will indicate (a) who fired first and (b) if the terrorists were initially challenged and offered an opportunity to surrender to the security forces.

Mr. Lee

The armed forces have engaged in gunfire in 73 separate incidents in 1984. In 24 of these the armed forces fired first. A challenge is always issued unless it is not possible to do so because life is in danger.