§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions from 1972 to the current date members of the security forces supplied(a) firearms, (b) ammunition and (c) explosives to civilians in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Stanley[holding answer 26 April 1988]: I am aware of only one such incident. This came to light following an RUC investigation into the murder of Mr. William Strathearn in April 1977. It was established that two serving police officers had taken part in the murder and that the murder weapon had been provided by one of them. In June 1980 both men were found guilty of murder and firearms offences and were sentenced to life imprisonment. If the hon. Member has evidence of possible further offences he will no doubt bring them to the attention of the police.