§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons detained by an interim custody order were legally represented before the commissioner; and how many refused such representation.
§ Mr. WhitelawForty-nine people detained under interim custody orders have been legally represented before the commissioners. Four-hundred-and-two people have appeared before the commissioners without taking advantage of their right to legal representation.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons appearing before a commissioner under an interim custody order have been discharged; how many of those discharged were detained or interned before 51W the introduction of the Detention of Terrorists Order; and how many of those discharged have been subsequently detained or charged with offences connected with the present unrest in the six counties of Ulster.
§ Mr. WhitelawOf 106 people who have been discharged by commissioners under the Detention of Terrorists (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, 91 were detained or interned before the introduction of the order. Five people discharged by commissioners have been subsequently detained. Information is not available as to whether any of those discharged have been subsequently charged with offences connected with the present unrest.
Mr. McNatnaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of single persons, married persons and persons with dependent relatives and children, respectively, at present detained by an interim custody order or detention order in the six counties of Ulster; and what is the weekly cost to public funds of maintaining the said children or dependent relatives.
§ Mr. WhitelawI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present number of persons at present detained under an interim custody order or a detention order in the six counties of Ulster; what is the average length of their detention; and how many have been detained since 9th August 1971, before the imposition of direct rule and Operation Motorman.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 11th April 1973 there were 409 people detained under interim custody orders or detention orders. The average length of their detention is approximately seven months. Of those detained at present, 112 were detained prior to direct rule and 12 were detained during the period between the imposition of direct rule and Operation Motorman.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time before the case of a person detained under an interim 52W custody order is heard by a commissioner.
§ Mr. WhitelawSix weeks.