§ 60. Sir John Biggs-DavisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the operations of the armed forces in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Ian StewartMilitary operations in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary carried out by the armed forces continue to make an invaluable contribution to the fight against terrorism in Northern Ireland.
Following a review by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of the deployment of security forces in the Province, a new brigade headquarters is to be established to improve anti-terrorist operations and patrolling in the border areas, leaving the existing two brigades responsible for supporting the police in the rest of the Province.
§ 74. Mr. Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the conditions in which soldiers are billetted in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. FreemanSome of the accommodation for the Army's permanent garrison in Northern Ireland is not up 167W to modern standards, and a modernisation programme is in hand. However, certain accommodation which is below the normal scaled provision has been provided specifically for personnel on short tours of duty. Single men serving in Northern Ireland pay no accommodation charges and charges for married quarters are abated by the single quartering charge appropriate to rank.