HC Deb 16 February 1995 vol 254 c1124
9. Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to return jury trials to Northern Ireland.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Sir John Wheeler)

The majority of trials on indictment in Northern Ireland are already conducted before a jury. As we have made clear in the past, when violence ends, the emergency legislation—which includes provision for non-jury trials—will have served its purpose. As lasting peace becomes firmly established in Northern Ireland, normality can return.

Mr. Corbyn

Does the Minister agree that now is the time to repeal the emergency legislation and give the right to a jury trial to everyone in Northern Ireland—a right that has been denied to them for nearly 15 years or more? Does he agree that it is a fundamental right of all citizens that they should have an opportunity, if they are indicted on a serious charge, to appear before a jury, not before the fundamentally unfair system of a judge sitting with no jury and making decisions?

Sir John Wheeler

I refute the suggestion that the Diplock courts are in any way unfair. That is obviously not true. It is equally correct to say that it is the duty of the Government to justify the retention of the emergency legislation, and to keep it firmly under review, which the Government do. The most recent statistics available, for 1993, show that 877 cases were disposed of by the Crown courts in Northern Ireland for indictable offences, of which 256 were scheduled offences dealt with by single-judge courts.

Mr. Trimble

Does the reduction in the number of trials before the single-judge courts show that there has been a reduction in the number of people being apprehended and charged for terrorism? Is that a reflection of the authorities' failure to investigate and pursue terrorist acts that have occurred in the past? Is that not an example of a de facto amnesty, and consequently a breach of the Government's undertaking that terrorist crimes of the past would continue to be pursued?

Sir John Wheeler

I firmly reject any suggestion of an amnesty for terrorist offenders. I can assure the House that the police service will pursue all offences with the utmost vigour under the law. The downturn in violence since 31 August, which the House will welcome, has meant that fewer cases coming to the notice of the police and before the courts are related to terrorist crimes. That is an extremely welcome development.