Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what occasion or occasions, and in what terms, any indication was given at any time on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to persons convicted of crimes committed before March 1976 that they would continue to enjoy political status in Her Majesty's prisons in Northern Ireland indefinitely.
§ Mr. Humphrey Atkins[pursuant to his reply,20 January 1981, c.156]: At no time have any Government regarded the conditions for special category prisoners as conferring political status—this Government certainly do not. As for the continuation of special category status in respect of certain prisoners, no assurances have been given since the present Government assumed office. As regards the earlier period, I am aware only of the previous Administration's statements on the matter in Parliament.