§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what period Noel Little, at present in police custody in Paris, was a serving member of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI have been asked to reply.
71WIt is not our general policy, for reasons of personal security, to confirm whether a person has served in Northern Ireland in the Ulster Defence Regiment. However, details of Noel Little's service have been widely reported and are as follows:
Noel Little served as a part-time private in the Ulster Defence Regiment between June 1980 and June 1986, when he was discharged on completion of his engagement.The circumstances of his arrest are being investigated by the police, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.