§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the bail money liable to forfeiture amounting to £12,435 between the period 24th March and 6th May, 1972, have now been collected; and what steps are being taken to collect the balance.
§ Mr. David HowellIn one case, the court decided to estreat the recognizances by way of surety in the token sum of £2, and this has been collected. The total amount referred to relates to about 30 people, of whom 16 have since been apprehended and dealt with by the courts. Every effort has been and is being made to apprehend the remaining 14. Of those apprehended, the reasons advanced for not answering bail have been accepted in some cases, and the amount liable to forfeiture in those cases will not therefore be collected. In other cases, consideration is being given to applying to the courts to estreat the recognizances.
Consideration is also being given to estreating the recognizances in relation to those people who have not so far been traced.