§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the current security position.
§ Mr. Tom KingDuring 1987 a total of 468 people were charged with serious offences including 28 with murder. In the same period 267 weapons, almost 20,000 rounds of ammunition and about 13,000 lbs of explosives were230W recovered. Six hundred and seventy-nine people were convicted during 1987 of offences related to terrorism. Security policy is continually kept under review but the threat remains high. On 21 January I announced new arrangements for the deployment of security forces in border areas. The courageous and determined efforts of the security forces are continuing to yield results.