asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people were arrested and questioned concerning the wounding of Mr. Walker Whitten in Portadown on Tuesday 1st March;(2) how many houses were searched in Craigavon following the wounding of Mr. Walker Whitten in Portadown on Tuesday 1st March:(3) if he will make a statement about the incident in Portadown, Co. Armagh, on Tuesday 1st March, which resulted in the wounding of Mr. Walker Whitten
Mr. Whitten was shot and seriously injured as he was walking to his business in Castle Street, Portadown, on the morning of Tuesday 1st March. A car stopped beside him and one of the occupants opened fire, hitting Mr. Whitten in the neck and stomach. The culprits then drove off. Police inquiries are being vigorously pursued. In an immediate follow-up operation the security forces set up vehicle check points, and a helicopter was brought in to search for the gunmen. The follow-up is continuing. No houses have been searched. I understand that a number of people have been questioned in connection with this incident, but that no arrests have yet been made.