HC Deb 16 February 1999 vol 325 cc619-20W
Mr. MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had on the normalisation of security arrangements in Northern Ireland with those Northern Ireland parties represented in the Assembly. [70269]

Mr. Ingram

None. Individual normalisation measures are operational decisions for the Chief Constable to take in the light of his assessment of the threat at the time and the advice of the General Officer Commanding. Local MPs are consulted as appropriate. The Secretary of State is responsible for developing the Government's overall strategy and has not had discussion with Northern Ireland parties represented in the Assembly on the strategy paper she intends to publish soon.

Mr. MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the removal of security installations in Northern Ireland since 10 April 1998. [70274]

Mr. Ingram

Since 10 April 1998, nine security installations (two sangars and seven Permanent Vehicle Checkpoints) have been demolished, one Army Base has been vacated and is being demolished and seven Patrol Bases have been vacated and closed down.

The decisions to demolish and vacate these installations were based on the operational assessment of the Chief Constable consistent with the threat level.

The following are the nine installations which have been demolished: Sangar at Crumlin road, Belfast and the Hill top sangar overlooking the former PVCP on the main Belfast-Dublin road at Cloghogue, Newry; and Permanent Vehicle Checkpoints at Bessbrook (3), Aughnacloy, The Hump, Strabane, Muff, Londonderry and Letterkenny road, Londonderry.

The Fort Whiterock Army base in West Belfast has been vacated and is presently being demolished.

>The following are the seven Patrol bases in Co. Fermanagh which have been vacated and closed down:

  • Mullan bridge
  • Roscor bridge
  • Wattle bridge
  • Gortmullan
  • Annaghmartin
  • Killyvilly
  • Clonatty Bridge.

Mr. MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what progress has been made in the reduction of the numbers and role of armed forces deployed in Northern Ireland since 10 April 1998; [70273]

(2) if she will list the de-escalation in security measures in Northern Ireland that has taken place since 10 April 1998. [70137]

Mr. Ingram

Since the reinstatement of the Provisional IRA ceasefire in July 1997, the Chief Constable has announced a progressive reduction in security measures in the Province. Each step has been fully consistent with the level of threat and taken after a review of the security situation.

From 10 April to the end of August, key factors which influenced the levels of security across the Province included attacks on security forces, the marching season and terrorist incidents, the most serious being the bomb in Omagh.

However, from September, the following measures have been taken:

Base Reductions

October

  • Vacation of Letterkenny, Muff and Hump vehicle checkpoints
  • Demolition of Crumlin Road Sangar
  • Demolition of R16 Road Sangar
  • Announcement of closure of Fort Whiterock

November

  • Demolition of three PVCPs at Bessbrook
  • Work started (and continues) to demolish Letterkenny vehicle checkpoint

January 1999

  • Work started (and continues) to demolish Fort Whiterock Army Base
  • Closure of 7 Fermanagh Base Patrols

February 1999

  • Demolition completed of Muff vehicle checkpoint
  • Demolition completed of Aughnacloy vehicle checkpoint
  • Demolition completed of Hump vehicle checkpoint

Troop Movements

September

  • The last remaining company of the Rural Reinforcement Battalion (RRB) returned to the Mainland

October

  • The last remaining company of the Urban Reinforcement Battalion (URB) returned to the Mainland

November

  • Drumadd Roulement Battalion (DRB) returned to the Mainland

Military Patrol Support to RUC

September

  • Military patrols ceased in Belfast Region
  • Military patrols ceased in South Derry

October

  • Military patrols ceased in Waterside and City side, Londonderry
  • Military patrols ceased in RUC G Division

November

  • Military patrols ceased in the Strabane Sub Division.