§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent the principle that the armed forces in Northern Ireland operate only in support of the civil power has been breached during the past 12 months; and to what extent, during the same period, there has been no police presence in operations which involve direct contact with the community.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe armed forces have at all times in the past 12 months acted in support of the civil power and will continue to do so. That is the foundation of our security policy. Records are not kept in a form which would allow an assessment of the extent to which over the last 12 months there has been no police presence in operations by the armed forces involving direct contact with the community.