Over biannual conference of the United Troops December in London. The highlight of the conference was a discussion on the H-Block prisoners led by Walsh, a from the Belfast Republican prisoners, most of whom are in the 17-20 age bracket, "beaten, brutalised and force-washed' by prison officers.
She detailed. how women in Armagh Prison lot harassment', were locked up 41 hours a day, and were denied the normal prison facilities.
The UTOM conference went on to decide that its major activity over the coming months would be to build for a national day of action on the Block prisoners March. series local and demonstrations are planned and there will be a major rally in London to which a former 'blanket' prisoner will be invited.
As well highlighting prisoners' issue the conference also agreed to place increased emphasis on work labour movement. Encouragement will be establishing a 'troops out' current in Line rest or the conrerence was taken up with establishing a national campaigning structure for the Troops Out Movement. For the first time the movement will nationally elected steering committee and its own office. The steering committee was given authority to appoint office worker. The conference also decided to rename itself the Troops Out Movement.
The decisions reflected the feeling Socialist Challenge 13 December 1979 page 6