§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those charities in Northern Ireland that have received help and funds from the armed forces.
§ Mr. FreemanThe armed forces in Northern Ireland, as elsewhere, make an enormous contribution to both local and national charities. Their contribution takes the form of donations raised by a wide variety of voluntary efforts, as well as actual help. Much of this work is done at a local unit level. No central record is kept and the information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate effort. However, as an illustration, I am advised that the nine battalions of the UDR raised over £130,000 in 1987 for a variety of service and civilian charities, both in the United Kingdom mainland and Northern Ireland. No donations to charities in Norther Ireland are made from official MOD funds.