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Northern Ireland

Volume 922: debated on Tuesday 14 December 1976

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17.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the activities of the Army and the UDR in Northern Ireland.

Army operations continue throughout Northern Ireland in support of the civil power.During my visit to the Province last week, when I visited units operating in Belfast and in the rural areas to the south, I was most impressed by the high morale of the troops. Their determination is clearly as strong as ever, and I cannot praise them too highly for the splendid way in which they are carrying out their difficult task. As we all know, it is also a dangerous task, and it is a matter of deep regret that three Regular Army soldiers have died in the past three weeks as a result of terrorists' actions. The House will wish to join me in expressing sympathy for their families.The UDR is, of course, a regiment of the British Army, and is playing an important part in the Army's operations in Northern Ireland. Recent sad losses suffered by the UDR have served as a poignant reminder, as if one were necessary, of the particular risks and intimidation which its members courageously face daily.

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the total Armed Forces in Northern Ireland this year as compared with last year.

The estimated extra costs of military operations in Northern Ireland for the two years in question are as follows:

1975–76£60 million
1976–77£63 million