§ 96. Mr. John Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been detained in custody for actual or alleged political offences or breaches of the peace of a political nature in the last 12 months; and how many of these were for espionage and how many for breaches of the peace involving Her Majesty's Ministers and kindred alleged offences.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThere have been no arrests for espionage during the last twelve months. I regret that the other information asked for is not readily available.
§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the time that has elapsed between arrest and appearing before a magistrate for all people who have been detained on political or similar charges such as those arising out of political meetings or demonstrations in the past 12 months; and how many group arrests on such charges have taken place.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI regret that this information is not available. Persons arrested are brought before a magistrate at the earliest opportunity. There are no group arrests as such.