§ Lord HYLTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many persons were arrested and detained for more than 24 hours in Northern Ireland under the Emergency Provisions Act in 1976, 1977 and to date in 1978; and how many persons have been taken into custody for a period of 24 hours or more in the same years in Northern Ireland under other criminal legislation.
§ Lord MELCHETTThe available information relates to the number of persons arrested under Section 11 of the Emergency1122WA Provisions Act 1978 (formerly Section 10 of the Emergency Provisions Act 1973), which enables the police to detain for up to 72 hours:—
1976 2,447 1977 2,658 1978 (to 16th November) 2,177 It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to show the number of such persons who were detained for more than 24 hours, or to provide statistics relating to persons held for more than 24 hours following arrest under other statutory provisions.
House adjourned at nine minutes before five o'clock.