§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will end internment without trial and employ the criminal law against those involved in violent or unlawful action in Northern Ireland other than by means of the Special Powers Act.
§ Mr. David HowellThe Detention of Terrorists (Northern Ireland) Order, 1972, which came into operation on 7th November, does away with internment by order of the Executive and creates new independent machinery to consider cases of suspected terrorists who cannot be brought before the ordinary criminal courts. This is an interim measure pending the report of the Diplock Commission which is considering changes in the administration of justice in order to bring terrorists to book.