HC Deb 07 February 1980 vol 978 cc730-1
15. Mr. Cryer (Keighley)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has yet had consultations regarding the position of Mr. Patrick O'Hagan.

Mr. Alison

Yes, Sir. We have agreed with the Home Office that when it is known that a prisoner in Northern Ireland is likely to travel to Great Britain on leave or on the completion of his sentence, the chief constable of the area to be visited will be consulted.

Mr. Cryer

I wonder whether the Northern Ireland Office has made any representations about this case to see whether the exclusion order can be withdrawn, bearing in mind that the arrest and detention of Patrick O'Hagan whilst on leave from prison—duly authorised and informed to the police—was without precedent, and in the belief that it was unjust that the Home Office and the West Yorkshire police should so act?

Mr. Alison

The merits or otherwise of making exclusion orders in Great Britain do not fall to my righthon. Friends or to myself to decide. We were simply concerned with the mechanics of the travel incident involved. As I told the hon. Gentleman, we have considered the procedures, and they are being revised?

ANALYSIS OF STAFF* IN THE GRADE OF HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER† AND ABOVE SERVING IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE IN THE YEAR SHOWN
Permanent staff Seconded
NICS UKCS‡ staff Parent Department of seconded staff
1 January 1976 … 179 43 53 Ministry of Defence (14)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (10)
Home Office (9)
Other (20)§
1 January 1977 … 202 42 48 Ministry of Defence (18)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (8)
Home Office (7)
Other (15)
1 January 1978 … 235 53 33 Ministry of Defence (9)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (7)
Home Office (6)
Other (11)
1 January 1979 … 250 54 24 Ministry of Defence (5)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (5)
Home Office (6)
Other (8)
1 January 1980 … 269 57 26 Ministry of Defence (6)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (5)
Home Office (5)
Other (10)
* Of the Northern Ireland Civil service, the united Kingdom civil service and the Diplomatic service.
† The grade of assistant principal was abolished in 1969: higher executive officer is the nearest equivalent.
‡ A number of these civil servants came originally from other Government Departments but have transferred to the permanent staff of the Northern Ireland Office.
§ Other Departments include: Department of Industry, Customs and Excise, Department of Health and Social Security, Department of Employment, Civil Service Department, Inland Revenue, Natural Environment Research Council, Metropolitan Police Office, Land Registry, Treasury, Lord Chancellor's Department.