asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has now been made with the strengthening of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in the House on 22nd February 1977, and to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said in the House on 10th March 1977—[Vol. 926, c. 1213; Vol. 927, c. 1623.] The strength figures for the Ulster Defence Regiment at 28th February are not yet available, but the indications are that the enrolment of both full-time and part-time members is going ahead satisfactorily. The full-time platoons are being trained, and are now beginning to perform various operational duties.