§ Rev. PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the Government's plans for the Lisnaskea Royal Irish Regiment base and St. Angelo's, Enniskillen. [3775]
§ Mr. SoamesThe requirement for bases and installations is kept under continuous review. Following the announcement by my right hon. and learned Friend the Northern Ireland Secretary on 2 November that the Fermanagh Roulement Battalion would not be replaced when its six-month emergency tour ended, it was decided that the small number of Royal Irish Regiment soldiers based at the Lisnaskea Royal Ulster Constabulary station should operate in future from the recently refurbished Army base in Clogher. The buildings formerly occupied by these soldiers in Lisnaskea RUC station will, however, be maintained in case they are needed in future. It was also decided that the company of Royal Irish Regiment soldiers based at St. Angelo should in future operate from Grosvenor barracks, Enniskillen. Their former premises at St. Angelo will be demolished.
§ Rev. PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the threat posed by terrorists to the Lisnaskea Royal Irish Regiment base and to the people of the area. [3777]
§ Mr. SoamesThe threat posed by terrorists is continually assessed by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The armed forces remain fully committed to, and capable of, providing whatever support the RUC requires.