§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 364W persons are at present remanded in custody in Northern Ireland for periods up to three months, four to six months, six to nine months, and nine to 12 months, respectively.
The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply to this and the next four following Questions.
The phrase "remanded in custody" in these answers is used to signify the period actually in custody between the date of arrest and the date of trial.
The following table sets out the number of persons remanded in custody in Northern Ireland at 28th November 1974:
Up to 3 months … … 282 From 3 to 6 months … … 176 From 6 to 9 months … … 87 From 9 to 12 months … … 26 Over 12 months … … 2 573
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the longest period that a remand prisoner has been held in custody in Northern Ireland since the present emergency commenced.
The Attorney-GeneralThe longest period that a remand prisoner has been held in custody in Northern Ireland since the present emergency commenced is 72 weeks.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the longest period on 1st November 1974 that a remand prisoner had served in custody.
The Attorney-GeneralThe longest period on 1st November 1974 that a remand prisoner had been held in custody was 70 weeks. The prisoner, who is the prisoner referred to in the preceding Question, has since been tried in respect of 10 offences and sentenced to eight concurrent periods of imprisonment, the longest of which was 15 years.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons remanded in custody in Northern 365W Ireland were released at trial in 1974 because no evidence was offered against them; and for what periods they had been held in custody.
The Attorney-GeneralThe following table shows the number of persons remanded in custody in Northern Ireland who were released at trial in 1974 because no evidence was offered against them and the periods they had been held in custody:
1 was held in custody for 47 weeks. A nolle prosequi was entered in his case because one essential witness failed to appear. 2 were held in custody for 37 weeks. Nolle prosequis were entered in their cases because an essential witness failed to appear. 3 were held in custody for 12 weeks. Nolle prosequis were entered in their case because essential evidence was found to be insufficiently satisfactory upon which to continue the prosecution. 6
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons remanded in custody in Northern Ireland were found not guilty at trial in 1974; and for what periods they had been held in custody.
The Attorney-GeneralThe following table shows the number of persons remanded in custody in Northern Ireland who were found not guilty at trial in 1974 and the periods they had been held in custody
8 were held in custody for 61 weeks. 1 was held in custody for 59 weeks. 3 were held in custody for between 50 and 54 weeks. 4 were held in custody for between 45 and 49 weeks. 9 were held in custody for between 40 and 44 weeks. 9 were held in custody for between 35 and 39 weeks. 9 were held in custody for between 30 and 34 weeks. 13 were held in custody for between 25 and 29 weeks. 4 were held in custody for between 20 and 24 weeks. 2 were held in custody for between 10 and 14 weeks. 4 were held in custody for between 5 and 9 weeks. 66