asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of lives saved by use of normal flak jacket body armour in Northern Ireland; and what chance there is of similar equipment being developed to stop a high velocity bullet from an M16 rifle.

The normal flak jacket has certainly prevented death or injury to members of the security forces on many occasions in Northern Ireland, although no figure can be put on the numbers involved. Body armour to stop the high velocity bullet has been developed and is available in Northern Ireland for use in certain circumstances. However, it is much heavier than the normal flak jacket, which continues to be used where mobility and speed of reaction are required.