HC Deb 23 December 1982 vol 34 cc1053-4
2. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the workings of section 8 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 in so far as they relate to evidence.

The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. John Patten)

All the provisions of the Act are to be examined during the forthcoming independent review.

Mr. Marlow

I wish my hon. Friend a very happy Christmas. Will he say whether in Northern Ireland a large number of criminals and murderers have yet to be taken to court because of the probable difficulties, as a result of intimidation, of taking a case against them? If that is so, will he look at the matter carefully in the next year because of the terrible effect that it has had on the population over the last 10 years or so?

Mr. Patten

I thank my hon. Friend for his good wishes. The police and the security forces are doing everything that they can to ensure that there is no intimidation of witnesses who come forward with valuable evidence that could lead to a successful criminal prosecution. They have been successful so far this year, despite one or two well-publicised acts of intimidation that have resulted in witnesses withdrawing their evidence. In 1983 the security forces will do everything they possibly can to ensure that witnesses are not intimidated and that successful prosecutions are brought.

Mr. Molyneaux

In view of the crucial importance of information, will the Minister encourage the security forces to adopt more effective methods of questioning and interrogation, similar to those employed by police forces in the rest of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Patten

To the best of my knowledge, the Chief Constable instructs the officers under him to use every proper form of interrogation of those brought into custody. That evidence is then laid before the courts, which can properly interpret it according to the statutory rules on the admissibility of evidence and the discretion that the courts have.

Mr. Concannon

The Minister referred to the inquiry into the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act. When is that likely to start? Since I said in September-Octover that I would be quite happy with the terms of reference, is he yet able to say what the terms of reference will be?

Mr. Patten

I can add nothing to what I said during the debate on the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce the person who will conduct the review and its terms of reference as soon as possible.

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