§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during each of the last 10 years the Government of the Irish Republic have refused a request from the British 553W Government for the extradition of a person suspected of a terrorist offence and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Stanbrook) on 6th February.—[Vol. 943, cc.384–6.] I then explained that the reciprocal arrangements for the return of fugitive criminals between this country and the Republic of Ireland are a matter for the police and the courts in the two countries, and that neither Government plays a part in the procedure. In only one of the cases listed in the answer to which I have referred in which surrender was refused by the courts of the Republic of Ireland was the offence of a terrorist nature.