HC Deb 22 December 1982 vol 34 c549W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the police knowledge of their involvement in terrorism, he will prosecute Mr. Gerry Adams, vice president of the Sinn Fein, Mr. Danny Morrison and Mr. Martin McGuinness for offences related to this.

The Attorney-General

Whenever the evidence is sufficient to justify them, criminal proceedings will be instituted against persons involved in acts of terrorism. Apart from the ordinary sanctions of the criminal law, however, Parliament has provided my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State with the power to make exclusion orders. This power can be and has been exercised in circumstances where criminal proceedings cannot be instituted but where it would not be right to give free reign to persons whom he is satisfied are or have been involved in acts of terrorism.