HC Deb 09 July 1997 vol 297 c513W
Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the incidence of punishment beatings over the last six months. [5910]

Mr. Ingram

Between 1 January 1997 and 29 June 1997 the number of causalities resulting from paramilitary assaults as recorded by the RUC were:

Loyalists Republican
Beatings 40 48
Shootings 32 4
Total 72 52

Clearly this type of brutal vigilante activity is barbaric and indefensible. The RUC remains the only legitimate law enforcement agency in Northern Ireland.