§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General (1) what estimate he has made of the number of persons who will now be brought for trial, and for which offences, under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill who could not be brought for trial under existing Northern Ireland legislation;
(2) how many persons at present detained under interim custody orders or detention orders in the six counties of Ulster he estimates will be brought for trial under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill;and for what offences;
(3) what estimate he has made of the numbers of prosecutions, and for which scheduled offences, which will now be brought as the result of the enactment of Clause 4 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill, concerning the admissibility of written statements in proceedings relating to scheduled offences;
(4) what estimate he has made of the number of prosecutions, and for which scheduled offences, which will now be brought against persons detained under interim custody orders or detection orders as the result of the enactment of Clause 4 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is not possible to make a statistical calculation of the numbers of such persons. It is estimated that the number of prosecutions should increase.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General how many statements alleged to have been made by persons on trial in Northern Ireland courts have been rejected by the courts, and on what grounds, since the imposition of direct rule.
§ The Attorney-GeneralDuring the period 30th March 1972 to 13th April 1973 the statements of 21 accused persons were, during the course of their trial, held to be inadmissible on the grounds that34W they did not satisfy the tests that such statements must be freely and voluntarily made.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General in how many cases, since the imposition of direct rule, charges for scheduled offences listed in Clause 6(4) of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill have been dismissed by the courts because of lack of evidence of possession.
§ The Attorney-GeneralDuring the period 30th March 1972 to 13th April 1973, 39 prosecutions have failed because of lack of evidence of possession.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General how many persons have been prosecuted for membership of proscribed organisations, and which organisations, since the imposition of direct rule; and how many have been acquitted and convicted and for membership of which organisations.
§ The Attorney-GeneralDuring the period 30th March 1972 to 13 th April 1973, directions to prosecute have been given in 65 cases for membership of the IRA and in two cases for membership of the UVF. Statistics as to the results of these prosecutions are not immediately available.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General how many persons have been prosecuted for possession of documents relating to proscribed organisations, and in respect of which organisations; and how many have been convicted or acquitted for possession of documents relating to which proscribed organisation.
§ The Attorney-GeneralDuring the period 30th March 1972 to 13th April 1973, directions have been given to prosecute three persons for possessing documents furthering the object of the IRA. A similar direction has been given in respect of one person for possession of documents furthering the aims of Fianna Na H'Eireann. Statistics as to the results of these prosecutions are not immediately available.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General how many persons have been charged with dressing in such a manner 35W as to indicate that they belong to a proscribed organisation, and which organisation, since the imposition of direct rule; how many have been acquitted; and how many convicted of such an offence.
§ The Attorney-GeneralDuring the period 30th March 1972 to 13th April 1973 there have been no such prosecutions.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General what is the total and monthly number of persons charged with offences arising from the present unrest in Northern Ireland since the imposition of direct rule; how many have been charged and acquitted or convicted and for what offences; what were the sentences imposed; how many have been tried before a jury; how many have been charged and are awaiting trial; and what is the average length of time between a person being charged and brought to trial.
§ The Attorney-GeneralTo answer these detailed questions involves the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Department of Prosecutions for Northern Ireland in much time and research. Each organisation is under-manned and is having to cope with a very heavy burden of work, but the information, so far as it is available, will be supplied as soon as possible.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Attorney-General how many persons are at present remanded in custody in Northern Ireland for offences arising out of the present disturbances in Northern Ireland; and how many have been remanded for periods exceeding one, two, three, four, five or six months or longer periods.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is not always possible to determine whether certain offences, such as armed robberies and the hijacking of vehicles, arise out of the present disturbances. Subject to this qualification, I am informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland that the figures are as follows:
258 persons are at present in custody awaiting committal or trial in respect of offences which appear to have arisen out of the present disturbances.
Of these:
102 have been in custody for less than one month;
36W55 have been in custody for more than one month and less than two months;
37 have been in custody for more than two months and less than three months;
23 have been in custody for more than three months and less than four months;
22 have been in custody for more than four months and less than five months;
7 have been in custody for more than five months and less than six months;and
12 have been in custody for periods in excess of six months.