§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were convicted in 1984, either on their own admission of guilt or following a plea of not guilty, on the basis of evidence given by accomplices on behalf of the Crown in cases concerning scheduled offences in Northern Ireland; how many suspects arrested on the basis of such evidence have been released as a result of the retraction of evidence given by accomplices; and how many people are presently awaiting trial as a result of evidence obtained from terrorist accomplices.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 28 January 1985, c. 71]: Eleven persons were convicted in cases concerning scheduled offences during 1984 following trials in which the evidence of a former accomplice was given on behalf of the Crown. A further 10 persons were convicted on the 45W basis of their statements of admission made during enquiries arising from the evidence of a former accomplice.
It is not possible to associate directly the number of persons released with the withdrawal of evidence by alleged accomplices, because arrested persons may be released for other reasons and because persons who have been charged on such evidence may also face criminal charges on other grounds. However, the available records show that in 1984, following the withdrawal of evidence by alleged accomplices, some or all of the charges against 21 persons were dropped.
On 28 January 1985, 112 persons were on remand or had been returned for trial for scheduled offences in cases in which it was intended that an alleged accomplice would give evidence for the Crown.