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Mr. Wm. Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the weapons used by terrorists in Northern Ireland during the current year in attacks on the security forces, stating in each case the calibre of the weapons used and country of manufacture.
Mr. Humphrey Atkins
Between 1 January and 31 October 1979 there have been 287 separate shooting attacks on the security forces, many involving the use of more than one weapon. In many cases the precise type of weapon used is not known, and in those cases where the information is available, it may form the basis of evidence to be used in subsequent legal proceedings against persons charged in relation to the use of weapons. In such circumstances disclosure of the information would be inappropriate.