HC Deb 20 December 1999 vol 341 cc406-7W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the H-blocks in the Maze Prison which are still in use; which group of convicted terrorist prisoners are in occupation of each block; and if he will list the H-blocks in use and which groups occupied each on 1 December 1998. [102161]

Mr. Ingram

At the present time, five of the eight Blocks are in use. Loyalist prisoners occupy three Blocks and Republican prisoners occupy the remaining two.

This was the position on 1 December 1998 also.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the next H-block in the Maze Prison to be cleared of prisoners; and which one it will be. [102159]

Mr. Ingram

I an unable to forecast when the next H-block within Maze Prison will close.

Prisoner releases between now and July 2000, when Maze is expected to close, are relatively small. The situation will be kept under review.