§ 28. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that no demographic map showing the geographical disposition of Catholic and Protestant populations in Northern Ireland is available within his Department except for one dated 1911; and if, in the light of the necessity for informed discussion, he will give orders for an up-to-date map to be prepared and made available in the House of Commons Library.
§ Mr. SharplesI have arranged for a map of Northern Ireland to be placed in the Library showing the percentage of the population in each local authority area who were recorded as Roman Catholic in the 1961 Census. The answer 403W to the question about religious faith was not compulsory.
The analysis of the answers to this question in the 1971 Census is not yet available.
§ Mr. McNamara(1) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the physical condition of Thomas Sinclair and Sheamus Lynch, at present in the hospital wing of Crumlin Road Jail, will be the subject of a report by the Compton Commission;
(2) whether the physical condition of Brendan Hannifan, Sheamus Mullin and Michael Murphy, at present in the Crumlin Road Jail, will be the subject of a report by the Compton Commission.
§ Mr. MaudlingI understand that these men were arrested after 9th August.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will extend the terms of reference of the Compton Commission to include allegations of brutality against the security forces made by or on behalf of men arrested under the Special Powers Act after 9th August, 1971.
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think that it would be apropriate to convert the Committee into a standing inquiry of this kind.
§ Mr. McManusasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was first informed that Sir Edmund Compton was investigating torture and disorientation and brainwashing in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MaudlingI would refer the hon. Member to what I said in answer to Questions on 19th October.