§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the location of permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland in September 1994 and September 1997, indicating anticipated changes in the next six months providing there is no major change in the overall security context. [13059]
§ Mr. IngramThe locations of permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland in September 1994 and September 1997 are as follows:
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As at September 1994 As at September 1997 Middletown Removed Cloghoge (Newry/Dublin Road) Inactive but structure still present Aughnacloy Inactive but structure still present Bessbrook X3 Reduced structures but still in use Bessbrook High Street Removed Mahon Road, Portadown X2 Still in use Letterkenny Road, Londonderry Inactive but structure still present detained in each of the holding centres in each of the last six months, by (a) gender and (b) perceived religious/community origin. [13065]
§ Mr. IngramSet out below are details on the number of persons detained in each of the three holding centres in each month from April to September, categorised by gender. The religious/community origin of persons detained is not recorded.
As at September 1994 As at September 1997 Buncrana Road, Londonderry Removed Muff, Culmore Road, Londonderry Inactive but structure still present The Hump, Strabane Inactive but structure still present Clady Removed Rosscor Bridge Inactive but structure still present Wattle Bridge Inactive but structure still present Mullan Bridge Inactive but structure still present Gortmullan Inactive but structure still present Annaghmartin Inactive but structure still present Killyvilly Inactive but structure still present Clonatty Bridge Inactive but structure still present Kilturk Removed Donegall Pass, Belfast Removed Belfast International Airport Inactive for a period, but returned to use following end of ceasefire Since the ceasefire many of the permanent vehicle checkpoints are no longer used as checkpoints, however the structures are still manned—they fall into the category which reads "Inactive but structure still present".
In addition, the Civilian Search Unit manned vehicle checkpoints in Belfast at five locations—Royal Avenue, High Street, Queen Street, Donegall Place and Victoria Square. These were removed in September 1994.
All security measures, including permanent vehicle checkpoints are continually reviewed; any changes will depend on the assessment of threat at the time.