§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of those: (a) sentenced to imprisonment 193W and (b) discharged from prison since 1st January 1975, received special category status in prison as Loyalists and Republicans, respectively; and what was the increase in numbers of such prisoners in custody.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe information is as follows:
SPECIAL CATEGORY PRISONERS 1st January to 1st October 1975 Loyalists Republicans Total Sentenced 199 242 441 Discharged 96 96 192 Increase of number in custody 103 146 249
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special category prisoners having Republican and Loyalist connections were sentenced and in custody at 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October 1975, respectively.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesDetails are as follows—excluding prisoners unlawfully at large, of whom there were five at 1st October:
Republican Loyalist Total 1st January 1975 725 414 1,139 1st April 1975 807 463 1,270 1st July 1975 846 502 1,348 1st October 1975 866 517 1,383