HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc158-9W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision she will make to ensure that residents whose streets have been blocked to enable church parades, are themselves able to attend their own churches. [8775]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 15 July 1997]: It is of course most regrettable if on any occasion those who wish to go to and from their chosen place of worship by their chosen route are unable to do so. It is for the Royal Ulster Constabulary to do its best to ensure that worshippers are able to get to and from their church unhindered. There are occasions, however, when the security situation in Northern Ireland causes disruption to these plans. When this happens, the RUC endeavours to keep these disruptions to the minimum necessary to meet the security requirement.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many marches were applied for in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997 up to 12 July 1997 by (i) the Orange Institution, (ii) the Black Institution, (iii) the Apprentice Boys of Derry, (iv) the Ancient Order of Hibernians and (v) the Legion of Mary; and how many took place. [9976]

Mr. Ingram

The information is not readily available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide. I can, however, give details of the number of marches held during that period which are described as either loyalist, nationalist or other:

Marches held in 1996 and from 1 January 1997 to 12 July 1997
1 January 1996 to 31 December 1996 1 January 1997 to 12 July 1997
Loyalist 2,405 1,495
Nationalist 230 112
Other 527 248

The 1997 statistics may be subject to minor adjustment.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to march were received in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997 up to 12 July 1997 for the purposes of band parades; and how many were perceived to be (i) unionist/loyalist, (ii) nationalist/republican and (iii) neither. [9977]

Mr. Ingram

The information is not readily available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.