§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Norther Ireland (1) if he will break down by religious and political affiliations the people who have given supergrass evidence; and along these delineations what provisions have been made for each concerning personal protection, family protection, residential relocation and re-employment in their new residences; and what has been the total cost of all these procedures for each individual and each grouping of individuals, respectively;
(2) how many supergrass witnesses have been taken outside the United Kingdom prior to the trial; whether their families have been able to accompany them; to where they went; and what was the cost to public funds of (a) the witness, (b) the witness's family and (c) the representative of the Royal Ulster Constabulary security forces accompanying them;
(3) what follow-up procedures have been carried out in respect of those who have given supergrass evidence, been given immunity and relocated abroad; whether he is satisfied that these people have been adequately protected; whether they have been provided with jobs; whether their families have been able to accompany them; how often checks are made on them; and what is the total cost per year and per month of these procedures;
(4) how much money has been spent on (a) protection of supergrass witnesses, (b) relocation of supergrass witnesses and (c) protection of supergrass witnesses' families; and if he will break down expenditure yearly and monthly.
§ Mr. PriorI have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Gentleman on 18 January 1984 at column 265, except to say that I am satisfied that the police are making appropriate efforts for the protection of witnesses 311W whose lives may be at risk. Arrangements may be made for the relocation of the families of individual witnesses, at their request and on the advice of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. These arrangements include assistance over re-settlement and re-employment to the extent that this may be necessary for the security of the individuals involved.