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2ND DRAFT
continued to provide close protection for the airfields at Aldergrove
and the radar unit at Bishops Court, and in 1973 supported the Army
on the streets of Londonderry.
37. The lster Defence Regiment has continued to provide an efficient
force and an invaluable aid to the Regular Forces.
38. During 1974, the Regular Force level was reduced from 16 to 13
major units in the infantry role and now comprises approximately
14,000 men. This level has been temporarily reinforced on a number of
occasions, for example, in May 1974 during the Ulster Workers' Council
strike, and twice in October 1974, during the United Kingdom General
Election and after the burning of the Maze prison. During the Ulster
Workers' Council strike, reinforcements enabled the Army to take over
and run the supply of petrol and fuel oils.
39. The Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act, which game into
force in August 1973, provides limited powers for soldiers to stop.
question, search and arrest. It has been renewed until July 1975 to
enable full consideration to be given to the recommendations of the
Gardiner Committee (Cmnd.
Cmnd. / 7) and any subsequent legislation
to be enacted.
CYPRUS
40. Events in the Mediterranean area in 1974 were dominated by the
Cyprus crisis. Following the coup mounted by the Greek National Guard
and the subsequent Turkish landing, the resident garrisons of the two
British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) of Akrotiri and Dhekelia were rein-
forced by an Army brigade headquarters, an infantry battalion, an armoured
reconnaissance regiment, two Royal Marines Commando Groups and many
support units. A squadron of RAF Phantoms, a Puma helicopter detach-
ment and an RAF Regiment Field Squadron as well as a number of HM ships
and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries were also deployed to the island.
41. At the request of the United Nations' Secretary General, the size
of the British contingent in the UN Force in Cyprus was doubled and
41
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