§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the measures taken in each month since February to reduce security activity. [64205]
§ Mr. IngramSince 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 February to the end of August, key factors which influenced the levels of security across the Province included the "tit for tat" killings following the murder of Billy Wright in 27 December 1997, devices in 5 town centres, attacks of security forces and the marching season.
However, from September, the following measures have been taken:
- Base Reductions
- October
- Vacation of Letterkenny, Muff and Hemp 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 to demolish Muff vehicle checkpoint (Ongoing)
- Work started to demolish Letterkenny and Aughnacloy vehicle checkpoints (Ongoing)
- Work started to demolish Hump vehicle checkpoint (Ongoing)
- January 1999
- Work started to demolish Fort Whiterock Army Base (Ongoing)
- 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
3 - 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.