Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 21 May 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 May 2012. It was answered by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 24 May 2012 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland

Question

(2) how many times ammunition technical officers were called out in Northern Ireland in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012 to date; and if he will make a statement;

[109420]

Vernon Coaker:

Answer

Response times to bomb incidents in Northern Ireland are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However the Explosive Ordnance Device teams in Northern Ireland have responded with great professionalism over the years to all requests for assistance. We will continue to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the most operationally effective way using the defence and police estate as necessary.

The number of incidents to which Ammunition Technical Officers were called in Northern Ireland is shown in the following table. The figures represent the total number of times officers were called out and are rounded to the nearest 10.

Number
2008
 360
2009
 500
2010
 490
2011
 450
2012 (at 21 May)
 160

I am withholding the numbers of Ammunition Technical Officers deployed in Northern Ireland as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
109420; 545 c830W
Session
2012-13
Subjects
Bomb disposal Northern Ireland
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk