asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of deaths of (1) Unionists or Protestants and (2) nationalists or Catholics, including deaths due to plastic bullets and hunger strikes, which occurred as a result of terrorism in the Six Counties from 1 January 1981.

The political persuasions or religious beliefs of all persons killed in violence in Northern Ireland is not known and therefore it is not possible to give a breakdown in the manner requested. The information available indicates that since 1 January 1981 a total of 103 persons have died in Northern Ireland as a result of violence. Of this number seven persons have died in incidents involving plastic bullets and ten persons died while on hunger strike.