HC Deb 13 July 1994 vol 246 cc611-2W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost in 1993 in Northern Ireland of payments under(a) the sheep annual premium, (b) the suckler cow premium, (c) the beef special premium and (d) the hill livestock compensatory allowances; and what is his estimate of the cost in 1994.

1991 1992 1993 11994
Number of applications for appointment2 1 24 24 12
Number of appointments made2 1 23 24 12
Number of notices to attend issued2 1 30 29 16
Number of interviews conducted3 1 23 26 14
Number of persons interviewed2 1 22 19 12
Number of search warrants obtained2 0 0 0 0
Number of persons charged with schedule 5 offences2 0 1 0 1
Number of persons convicted of schedule 5 offences2 0 1 0 0
Number of search warrants or orders obtained4 0 0 0 12
Number of production orders obtained4 0 0 1 5
Number of explanation orders obtained4 0 0 0 0
1Up to 30 June.
2Under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991.
3Some persons have been interviewed more than once.
4Under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.

I remain of the view that use of the powers available under schedule 5 of the 1991 Act plays an important part in the investigation of terrorist finance.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been prosecuted as a result of investigations involving the use of powers authorised by section 57 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 since 1991; in relation to what offences these people were prosecuted; and how many people have been convicted.

Sir John Wheeler

Four persons have been prosecuted as a result of investigations involving the use of the powers authorised by section 57 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991.

One person has been convicted of failing to comply with a requirement made by an authorised investigator contrary to paragraph 4(1) of schedule 5 to the 1991 Act. A further person awaits trial on a charge of contravening that provision. One person awaits trial on two charges of false accounting contrary to section 17(1) of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969. The fourth person awaits trial on two charges of making a false instrument contrary to

Mr. Ancram

The information requested is as follows:

£ million
1993 (cost) 1994 (cost)
Sheep annual premium 41.7 30.2
Suckler cow premium 8.8 39.8
Beef special premium 4.9 48.8
Hill livestock compensatory allowances 18.5 13.6