§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many terrorist attacks there have been on the Shorts Bros complex at Alanbrooke road, Belfast since 1969; and what was their nature.
§ Mr. CopeThe Shorts factory complex in the Alanbrooke industrial estate has not been subject to physical attack by terrorists since 1969. However, the hon. Member will be aware of all the circumstances surrounding the recent bomb attacks against Shorts' property elsewhere in Belfast, and of the armed theft of equipment from its Alanbrooke road factory in 1988.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will bring the area for assembly of the Star Streak missile into the security area at Alanbrooke road, Belfast.
§ Mr. CopeDecisions on the location of work within the Shorts factory complex on the Alanbrooke road are the responsibility of Shorts' management and not Government.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what legislative powers Alanbrooke road in Belfast has been closed; what categories of persons are allowed access under those powers; and what consultation took place with local residents in advance of closure.
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§ Mr. CopeShorts plc was authorised to close Alanbrooke road, under powers granted to the Secretary of State by section 19(2)(d) of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. In authorising the closure, the Secretary of State stipulated that pedestrian access from Montgomery road to the college of further education annex should continue to be provided during opening hours for those persons with legitimate business on the college premises. This has been done by the construction of a closed walkway which gives controlled access to the college annex. Because of the sensitive nature of the security measures then being considered and the urgent need to safeguard the Shorts factory complex from terrorist attack, it was not possible in this instance to consult local residents about the intended closure before it was implemented.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what security precautions have been introduced to protect local inhabitants living adjacent to the Shorts Bros complex in Alanbrooke road, Belfast; and what processes require the protection of high security.
§ Mr. CopeThere are no local residents living immediately adjoining the Shorts factory complex on Alanbrooke road. The nearest house is about 70 yards away from the outer fence. The hon. Member will already be generally aware of the equipment which is produced at this factory and, in line with longstanding Government policy on such matters, I know he would not expect me to elaborate further on this sensitive issue.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what security vetting has taken place on students of Castlereagh college who have access to Alanbrooke road, Belfast.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to extend the security precautions installed in Alanbrooke road, Belfast to Montgomery road; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CopeThe security of Short Bros plc property on the Alanbrooke road is kept under review. There is no plan to close off Montgomery road for security reasons.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which branch of the security forces mans the gate in Alanbrooke road, Belfast.
§ Mr. CopeThe hon. Member will know that it is the longstanding policy of Ministers not to discuss in any detail the make-up or efficacy of any physical security measures which may have been implemented at a particular location.