HC Deb 02 November 1998 vol 318 cc363-5W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the name of each known terrorist organisation connected with terrorism in Northern Ireland indicating the number of members of each organisation(a) serving a prison sentence and (b) on remand; and if she will estimate the number from each organisation she expects to be released under the provisions of the Northern Ireland Sentences Act by (i) 30 September 1998, (ii) 31 December 1998, (iii) 31 March 1999, (iv) 30 June 1999, (v) 30 September 1999, (vi) 31 December 1999, (vii) 31 March 2000, (viii) 30 June 2000 and (ix) 30 September 2002. [55026]

Mr. Ingram

The names of each known terrorist organisation connected with terrorism in Northern Ireland, as proscribed under Emergency Provisions legislation are as follows:

  • The Irish Republican Army (IRA)—includes Real IRA, Provisional IRA and Continuity IRA
  • Cumann na mBan
  • Fianna na hEirann
  • The Red Hand Commando (RHC)
  • Saor Eire
  • The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
  • The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
  • The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
  • The Irish People's Liberation Organisation (IPLO)
  • The Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
  • The Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF)
  • The Continuity Army Council.

The information in respect of subsections (a) and (b) of the question is shown in Table A. This is drawn from the prison population as at 26 October 1998.

The information in respect of subsections (i) to (ix) is shown in Table B. It provides an estimate of the releases that the Secretary of State currently estimates to take place in each of the specified periods. This is drawn from information received by the Secretary of State as at 14 October 1998 from the Sentence Review Commissioners to whom prisoners apply for early release.

Information is held in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners, where applicable, for management purposes. It should be noted however, that with the exception of HMP Maze where links are more clearly defined, this information is based on a combination of factors including the offence, sympathies and associates. The figures do not include prisoners who are regarded as only having either Loyalist or Republican sympathies.

Table A
Prison PIRA INLA UDA UVF UFF LVF RHC
Maze
Sentenced 106 24 65 57 0 11 0
Remand 6 2 8 8 0 8 0
Maghaberry
Sentenced 12 8 26 17 6 8 3
Remand 4 6 11 7 0 3 1
Magilligan
Sentenced 6 2 12 11 1 0 0
YOC
Sentenced 2 0 0 3 1 0 0
Remand 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
Total 136 43 123 104 9 30 4
Table B
PIRA UDA UVF UFF RHC
Determinate sentences
Up to 14 October 1998 42 18 11 2
14 October 1998–31 December 1998 39 20 13 1 1
1 January 1999–31 March 1999 3 1
1 April 1999–30 June 1999 5 2 1
1 July 1999–30 September 1999 4 3 1
1 October 1999–31 December 1999 8 2 1 1
1 January 2000–31 March 2000 5 1 1
1 April 2000–30 June 2000 1 1
1 July 2000–30 September 2000 19 8 12 4 1
Total 126 55 39 10 2
Lifer sentences
Up to 14 October 1998 11 9 7 1
14 October 1998–31 December 1998 6 9 9
1 January 1999–31 March 1999 5 2
1 April 1999–30 June 1999 2 2
1 July 1999–30 September 1999 1
1 October 1999–31 December 1999 1 1
1 January 2000–31 March 2000
1 April 2000–30 June 2000 1
1 July 2000–30 September 2000 31 11 8 1
Total 58 32 26 1 1

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) each known terrorist organisation connected with terrorism in Northern Ireland, (b) the number of members of each such organisation in prison in Northern Ireland, (c) the number in each organisation serving (i) a life sentence, and (ii) another indeterminate sentence and (d) the number in each group convicted of murder or attempted murder. [55025]

Mr. Ingram

In response to subsections(a) and (b) of this question I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the previous question, subsections (a) and (b).

The information requested in subsection (c) of this question is shown in the Table. This is drawn from the prison population as at 26 October 1998. All of the prisoners in the table are serving mandatory sentences, either life imprisonment or detention during the Secretary of State's pleasure, for the offence of murder.

Information is held in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners, where applicable, for management purposes. It should be noted, however, that, with the exception of HMP Maze where links are more clearly defined, this information is based on a combination of factors including the offence, sympathies and associates. The figures do not include prisoners who are regarded as only having either Loyalist or Republican sympathies.

Life SOSP Total
INLA 7 0 7
PIRA 28 1 29
UDA 20 2 22
UVF 21 1 22
UFF 5 0 5
RHC 1 0 1
LVF 4 0 4