HC Deb 04 December 1992 vol 215 cc403-4W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have been held with representatives of the fishing industry in the constituency of South Down concerning the operation of submarines in the Irish sea and north channel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The operation of submarines in inshore fishing waters, including the Irish sea and North channel, has been discussed at a number of meetings of the

Year and period Event Location Military action
1966
16 May to 30 June Seamen's strike Nationwide 5 RN vessels delivered essentials to Scottish Isles
1970
13 to 29 July Dock strike Nationwide 34,000 troops placed on standby
27 September to 5 November Local Authority manual workers strike Nationwide 1. On 21 October, 12 soldiers on standby to take over a sewage plant at Swindon
2. On 24 October, 30 to 40 Grenadier Guardsmen and Sappers with military vehicles cleared refuse in Tower Hamlets (London)
7 to 14 December Power workers overtime ban Nationwide Loan of some 400 mobile generators to Hospital Boards nationwide
1972
9 January to 28 February Miners' strike Nationwide 1. Fabric storage tanks loaned to the CEGB
2. Contingency plans concerning the distribution of coal and oil to power stations considered but not implemented
28 July to 16 August Dock strike Nationwide 1. Parade ground in Connaught Barracks, Dover, loaned to Harbour Board as vehicle sorting area awaiting ferry services
2. RAF delivered supplies to Orkney and Shetland
3. Army landing craft delivered supplies to Western Isles
1973
26 October to 5 November Fire Brigade strike Glasgow 618 Servicemen (130 RN, 311 Army and 177 RAF) with 28 Green Goddesses
1974
10 February to 11 March Miner's strike Nationwide No direct action but logistic support was provided to the civil police
14 to 28 May Ulster Workers' Council general strike Northern Ireland 2 infantry battalions and over 700 specialists (total 1,831) sent to the Province as reinforcement for contingency plans covering electricity, gas, water, and sewage, post and oil. Only the last plan was actually implemented
1975
13 January Refuse Glasgow 2,000 troops cleared refuse

relevant sub-group of the Fishing Industry Safety group, on which the Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation is represented.