§ 21. Mr. DUNNICOasked the Homo Secretary the number of prisoners from Northern Ireland now confined in the prisons of England and Scotland; whether all these have been brought to trial, and, if not, how many have not been; and what are the financial arrangements made with the Government of Northern Ireland under which these prisoners are held?
Mr. HENDERSONThere are 73 prisoners and 10 Borstal inmates from Northern Ireland at present detained in prisons in England and Wales. I am informed that the number of such prisoners detained in prisons in Scotland is 62. All of these prisoners have been brought to 2385 trial. The whole cost of maintaining these prisoners (including the cost of conveyance from and to Northern Ireland) is recovered from the Government of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HAYESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Home Secretary has to accept the responsibilty for the safe care and custody of these prisoners while they are in his jurisdiction?
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the right hon. Gentleman not send these prisoners back to Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. HEALYWhat seeps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take to compensate the many hundreds of Nationalist refugees driven from Northern Ireland?