HC Deb 14 March 1988 vol 129 cc420-1W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act between 1 and 7 March; who they were; where they were detained; why they were detained; for how long they were held; and what charges were brought against them.

Mr. Hurd

Between 1 and 7 March eight people were detained under section 12 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 on suspicion of involvement in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. All eight were detained in London. Four were detained for 11 hours, 3 days 18 hours, 3 days 23 hours, and 3 days 23 hours, respectively, before being released. The other four were detained for 4 days 19 hours, 4 days 19 hours, 4 days 2 hours and 3 days 22 hours. At that point, on 8 March, I signed orders excluding them from the United Kingdom. They were then detained under article 9(3) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Supplemental Temporary Provisions) Order 1984 for a further 1 day, 1 day, 22 hours and 22 hours respectively, pending their removal from the United Kingdom. No charges were brought against any of those detained.

It is not our normal practice to name individuals detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984.