HC Deb 10 April 2000 vol 348 cc61-2W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he was first informed of the threats to the life of Belfast solicitor Padraigin Drinan; if he will itemise those threats of which he has been informed; if he will itemise incidents that may reasonably be perceived as designed to intimidate the solicitor; on how many occasions and on what dates(a) her home, (b) the premises of her legal practice and (c) her car has been attacked; what steps the RUC have taken to protect the safety of Ms Drinan; and what steps he will take to ensure Ms Drinan is placed on the Key Persons Protection Register. [117262]

Mr. Ingram

It has been a long-standing convention and practice of successive Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland not to comment on or publicly disclose any matters relating to the personal circumstances and security of specific individuals where those persons are being protected, have been refused such protection or are being considered for protection under the Key Persons Protection Scheme. These matters are by necessity confidential.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals are listed on the Key Persons Protection Register; what is the percentage breakdown of the Register in terms of perceived community origin of key persons; if he will describe the type of risk faced by those on the Register; what are the criteria for a person to be entered on the Register; and what additional protection is available for those persons on the Register [117263]

Mr. Ingram

The Key Persons Protection Scheme exists to provide physical protection measures, at public expense, at the homes and occasionally the workplaces of people in certain jobs and occupations in Northern Ireland whose death or injury from terrorist attack could damage or seriously undermine:

  1. 1. the democratic framework of Government;
  2. 2. the effective administration of Government and/or the Criminal Justice system; or
  3. 3. the maintenance for Law and Order.

The individual must be assessed as being under serious or significant threat.

There are currently 1,260 persons protected by the Scheme.

Records are not maintained on the basis of perceived community origins of persons protected by the Scheme and the information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.