§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the weight of explosive mixture which has been used by the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland in the current year and in 1985.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 17 July 1986]: It is thought that Republican terrorist organisations detonated an estimated 4,942 kg of explosives during 1985 and an estimated 1,919 kg in the six months up to 30 June 1986.
In 1985 3,309 kg of explosives were recovered from devices thought to have been constructed by Republican terrorists and neutralised by the security forces; and a further 1,185 kg, also thought to have been intended for use by republican terrorists, were recovered in other circumstances. The corresponding figures for the first six months of 1986 are 1,443 kg and 553 kg.
It is not possible to be certain, but it is thought that most of these explosives were under the control of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.