HC Deb 14 April 1983 vol 40 c931
15. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to set up a review of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act.

Mr. Prior

As was announced on 8 April, Sir George Baker has accepted my invitation to conduct this important review. Sir George will start work in the near future.

Mr. McNamara

Will the Secretary of State explain to the House why it has taken so long to find a member of the judiciary willing—and, presumably, capable—of undertaking this inquiry? Is it because other members of the judiciary feel that this is a particularly nasty, dirty and bitty piece of legislation with which they did not wish to be associated, so that their names will not go down into infamy like that of Lord Diplock?

Mr. Prior

Certainly not. It was because I wanted to make absolutely certain that we got a man of the appropriate quality to carry out a very important review.