HC Deb 07 March 1985 vol 74 cc1159-60
11. Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to require banks, on his instructions, to deposit with the High Court moneys which are suspected either of belonging to illegal organisations or of being destined for use in furtherance of terrorist activities, such moneys to remain on deposit for a specified period during which the custodian of the funds may seek to prove that they are for lawful purposes.

Mr. Hurd

We are examining our existing powers. The Government would not hesitate to take all appropriate steps if it were clear that a proscribed organisation's funds were lodged in a bank in the United Kingdom.

Mr. McCusker

Does the Secretary of State agree with me that the Government of the Irish Republic are to be commended for the speed and determination with which they tackled the suggestion that large sums of money were being deposited in their bank for use by terrorists? Even if the right hon. Gentleman is not yet in a position to do the same thing in Northern Ireland, does he not nevertheless believe that a detailed scrutiny of the finances of the Provisional Sinn Fein might yield interesting results? Where does that organisation find the money to man a full-time office, full of sophisticated equipment that is used to spread propaganda around the world? From where does that organisation get the tens of thousands of pounds to fight the elections that it has fought during the past two or three years? Should we not be seeking the answers to those questions?

Mr. Hurd

I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman about the Irish Government's action. I agree that one of the areas upon which a robust security policy has to concentrate is the Provisional IRA's source of funds. We all know, alas, of the money that it receives from the United States. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has taken vigorous action on that. There is also the money that it derives from all kinds of fraud and rackets throughout the island of Ireland. As the hon. Member will be aware, the RUC is now spending more time and effort on that.

Mr. Latham

Unless he comes up with some better ideas as the result of his review, will my right hon. Friend start from the basic proposition that he should at least match the anti-terrorist action taken by the Irish Government to cut off the funds of these terrible people?

Mr. Hurd

We already have powers on the statute book which are not comparable with those which existed in Northern Ireland before. We have the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976, the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 and the Theft Act 1968. Those powers are formidable taken together. We are now urgently considering whether they need to be reinforced.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Will the Secretary of State consider the matter carefully, because in my view the Northern Ireland (Emergency Powers) Act 1978 is not enough? If it was right to sequestrate the funds of the NUM for not having a ballot, would it not be right to sequestrate the funds of the paramilitary organisations, which never believe in a ballot?

Mr. Hurd

I do not beleive that the comparison can be carried far, if at all. I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the subject of funds for the Provisional IRA is crucial.