HC Deb 22 July 1986 vol 102 c189W
Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has been able to identify (a) the make and b the type of fertiliser used by the Irish Republican Army in explosive mixtures.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 17 July 1986, c. 621–22]: Yes. For security reasons it would not be right to give further details.

Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to how much of the fertiliser used by the Irish Republican Army in its explosive mixtures was sold in Northern Ireland in the current year and in 1985.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 17 July 1986, c. 622]: The agricultural fertiliser on which terrorists in Northern Ireland base their home made explosives is widely used in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The nature of the component parts of the fertiliser makes it impossible to distinguish accurately how much was sold in Northern Ireland.