HL Deb 26 July 1982 vol 434 cc118-9WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many criminal cases have been tried by judge and jury in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and whether there have been any allegations or suspicion of intimidation of jurors or witnesses during this period.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)

The number of criminal cases tried by judge and jury in Northern Ireland during the last five years is as follows:—

Year Number
1977 65
1978 84
1979 83
1980 68
1981 91

In Northern Ireland many persons who could give evidence concerning terrorist activity continue to be fearful of the consequences to themselves and their families should they give such evidence. It is impossible to estimate the number of persons who because of threats made either directly or indirectly will not inform the police of evidence which they could give, or alternatively reduce or modify such evidence. Intimidation occurs almost entirely in relation to cases directly related to terrorist activity. Owing to the nature of the charges these cases are tried under the procedures of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. It is thus a continuing problem in relation to witnesses but since these cases are tried by a judge sitting without a jury the problem does not arise in relation to jurors.