HC Deb 15 November 1973 vol 864 cc654-5
12. Mr. Stallard

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons convicted and sentenced in Northern Ireland are currently serving their sentences in gaols outside Northern Ireland, and if he will publish details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Eighteen. It would not be in the interests of the prisoners concerned to publish details.

Mr. Stallard

I appreciate that reply. Does the Minister accept that, while no one condones the terrible crimes that have been committed either here or in Northern Ireland during the past few years—of course, our sincerest sympathy must go to the unfortunate victims of those crimes—many young people now in gaols in this country are themselves the victims of a repressive and violent background? Will he use his influence with his right hon. Friends to have as many of these prisoners as possible transferred to gaols near their homes so that their relatives, often elderly and infirm, can visit them regularly?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I think that the hon. Gentleman is particularly interested in a case where the crime was committed not in Northern Ireland, to which the Question refers, but in Scotland. Therefore, any question of moving that prisoner would not be a matter for me. I have said that 18 prisoners convicted and sentenced in Northern Ireland are serving their sentences in gaols outside the Province. That has generally been because they have made a request, under the ordinary procedures, to be so transferred.

Mr. Kilfedder

Earlier today my hon. Friend mentioned the case of a mentally retarded boy of 15 who had been abducted from St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Training School by the Provisional IRA and subsequently murdered. Will he assure the House that an inquiry will be set up to look into the circumstances in which three men could take two boys from that school at lunch-time and the school not notify the authorities that the boys had been taken until one was subsequently found dying?

Mr. van Straubenzee

Intensive police and security force inquiries are going on into that matter. It would not be appropriate for me to say more at present.

Mr. O'Halloran

How many prisoners are still in gaol following the introduction of internment in 1971?

Mr. van Straubenzee

The hon. Gentleman is a little out of date. That process has been superseded by one of detention. I will give him the exact figures, if he wishes, of those at present in detention, but, as he will know, they include members of both communities.