HC Deb 16 April 1973 vol 855 cc55-6W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many, and in respect of which organisations, periodicals or publications are at present proscribed in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Whitelaw

The organisations at present proscribed under Regulation 24A of the regulations contained in the schedule to the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland) 1922 areThe Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Irish Republican Army, the Irish Volunteers, the Cumann na n'Ban, the Fianna na h'Eireann, Saor Eire, the National Guard, Cumann Probachta na h'Eireann, Saor Uladh, Sinn Fein, Fianna Uladh; and the organisation misappropriating or claiming to use, or using, or purporting to act under, the name "the Ulster Volunteer Force" or any division or branch of such organisation howsoever described.

Under regulations made on 11th April 1973 organisations describing themselves as "Republican Clubs" or any like organisation however described are no longer proscribed under the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland) 1922.

No periodicals or publications are proscribed but under Regulation 8 it is an offence to print, publish, circulate, distribute, sell or offer or expose for sale or to have in one's possession for purposes of publication, circulation, distribution or sale any document advocating:

  1. (a) the procuring by force, violence or other unlawful means, of an alteration of the constitution or laws of Northern Ireland, or
  2. (b) the unlawful raising or maintaining of a military or armed force, or
  3. (c) the obstruction of or interference with the administration of justice or the enforcement of the law, or
  4. (d) support for any organisation whatsoever which carries on any of the activities specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) above.