HC Deb 05 August 1976 vol 916 cc969-70W
Mr. Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will cite the statutory powers under which the holiday parole of prisoners in Northern Ireland has been customary during the last 20 years.

Mr. Concannon

The statutory authority for temporary release is Rule 117 of Prison Rules (Northern Ireland) 1954 made under Section 13 of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953. Only prisoners serving sentences of more than two years, who have not served a prison sentence previously, are eligible and then only if they have completed at least two-thirds of their time in prison. Their behaviour in prison and the risk to the community is also taken into account.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many female Provisional IRA prisoners have been paroled.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners were denied parole because the Provisional IRA declined to take part in the scheme.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is responsible for deciding the eligibility of prisoners for parole; and how many have been paroled in each year since the scheme was introduced.

Mr. Concannon

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.