Ulster Defence Regiment (Hansard, 27 February 1986)

§ Mr. McNamara
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether (a) full-time or (b) part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are permitted to be members of the Ulster clubs;
(2) whether (a) full-time and (b) part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are permitted also to be members of the Orange Order;
(3) whether (a) full-time or (b) part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are permitted also to be members of the Ulster Defence Association.

§ Mr. Lee
In the same way as other members of the armed forces, all UDR personnel are required to observe the restrictions on political activity laid down in Queen's Regulations and the UDR regulations. These preclude taking an active part in the affairs of any political664W organisation or party. Members are also required to avoid involvement in any activity which could bring the regiment into disrepute.

§ Mr. McNamara
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the Official Report the procedures followed by his Department following a complaint by a member of the public against a member or members of the Ulster Defence Regiment in the performance of their duties.

§ Mr. Lee
The procedure for investigating complaints from members of the public concerning the behaviour of any member of Her Majesty's forces in Northern Ireland including the UDR, is described in a recently produced information leaflet which is widely available from RUC stations and Army units. A copy of this leaflet has been placed in the Library.

§ Mr. McNamara
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints his Department received of conduct of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment by battalion operating area, indicating which area, for each of the last five years, and indicating how many led to disciplinary action against the member of the Ulster Defence Regiment involved and what action was taken.

§ Mr. Lee
The information is not available in the form requested. However, available records show that in 1985 the number of complaints received against UDR personnel accused of misconduct of a non-criminal nature, broken down into individual battalions, was as follows:

Number of Complaints

1/9 UDR 3

2 UDR 1

3 UDR 8

4 UDR 13

5 UDR 0

6 UDR 1

7/10 UDR 9

8 UDR 2

11 UDR 4

	Number of Complaints
1/9 UDR	3
2 UDR	1
3 UDR	8
4 UDR	13
5 UDR	0
6 UDR	1
7/10 UDR	9
8 UDR	2
11 UDR	4