§ 5. Mr. Mallonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors led him to advise Her Majesty to exercise the royal prerogative of mercy in respect of William Allen.
§ Mr. ScottIt is not our practice to give details of reasons for exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy.
§ Mr. MallonIs the Minister aware that there is great concern in Northern Ireland and that confidence in the system of justice has been further eroded by the fact that a criminal who was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on 52 charges has been released after serving two years? That has confirmed in the minds of many the fact that he sold his evidence for an early release. Does the Minister agree that the exercise of the royal prerogative in that way to such a person is an insult to the person in whose name the royal prerogative is exercised?
§ Mr. ScottI shall not comment, because we do not give reasons. Mr. Allen has not been released. If and when he is, he will have served substantially in excess of the two years mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.