asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present position regarding the claim of Darcy Construction, Tattyreagh, Omagh, County Tyrone, against the Ministry of Defence ; and if he will make a statement.

Substantial claims by Darcy Construction Ltd. of Tattyreagh, County Tyrone, were made against the Ministry of Defence as a result of incidents which were alleged to have occurred between August 1971 and September 1972. Inquiries made through military and police Channels have failed to produce any real evidence which would substantiate the company's claims and the company itself has been unable to provide any such evidence. Last October my Department asked the claimants' solicitor for certain evidence about the claims, but this has not yet been received.