HC Deb 20 July 2000 vol 354 cc249-50W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will describe the deployment of each home unit of the Royal Irish Regiment on each day from 2 to 13 July. [130465]

Mr. Spellar

During the period in question, the six Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment were deployed at various locations around the Province on security duties in support of the RUC. Information about the specific deployment of each unit within each Battalion for each day in the period 2–13 July is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers of the Royal Irish Regiment in each unit(a) applied to take and (b) took leave from their duties on (i) 25 June, (ii) 2 July and (iii) 9 July. [130466]

Mr. Spellar

The dates mentioned fell within a period during which the Royal Irish Regiment were either preparing for, or actually engaged in, operations to support the RUC over the Marching Season. This precludes the taking of leave.