Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were arrested on Sunday 8 October; how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were involved in this operation; what is the estimated cost of the Royal Ulster Constabulary participation in this operation; if the authorities in the Republic of Ireland were given advance notice of this operation; how many of the arrested Ulster Defence Regiment men were subsequently charged with offences; how many of the arrested Ulster Defence Regiment men were remanded in custody; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cope[holding answer 17 October 1989]: All police operations in the Province are the responsibility of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and he has informed me that 28 members of the UDR were arrested on Sunday 8 October. The police operation involved 334 RUC officers and cost an estimated £45,000. 384W Six UDR soldiers have been charged with criminal offences and all were initially remanded in custody; four have now been released on bail by the High Court. No advance notice was given of the operation to the authorities in the Republic of Ireland.