HC Deb 04 May 1972 vol 836 cc568-9
6. Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons, whom he authorised to be released from internment, have engaged in any known form of terrorist activity sincé their release, necessitating their rearrest.

Mr. David Howell

None, Sir.

Mr. Pounder

Will my hon. Friend have that information rechecked, because it is at variance with reliable information which I have obtained from Northern Ireland—namely, that two persons who have been released from internment have subsequently been rearrested for terrorist activities?

Mr. Howell

I assure my hon. Friend that this information has been very carefully checked. As far as my information goes, his statement is not correct. There have been no rearrests of the kind about which he asks in his Question.

Mr. Duffy

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the information which he has given to the House is in flat contradiction to the predictions which were put about after the onset of internment both as a justification of it and as an objection to its early termination?

Mr. Howell

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that point. As I have told my hon. Friend, none has been rearrested. That is the position as I am advised at the moment.