§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Attorney-General, since the appointment to office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland in April 1972, in respect of prosecutions directed under Section 47 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, what have been the number of prosecutions directed on indictment and for summary trial, respectively, in respect 340W of civilians, in respect of the security forces and in respect of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
The Solicitor-GeneralDuring the period between 1st January 1973 and 30th July 1974 directions have been given to prosecute 66 persons on indictment for contravention of Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and 222 persons summarily.
Of the 66 prosecutions on indictment, 63 have been in respect of civilians; two have been in respect of members of the security forces and one has been in respect of a member of the RUC. Of the 222 summary prosecutions, 188 have been in respect of civilians, 32 have been in respect of members of the security forces and two have been in respect of members of the RUC. The figures in respect of security forces do not include members of the UDR who were not on duty at the time of the alleged offences.
A Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland was not appointed until 10th April 1972. Figures are not readily available for the period between that date and 1st January 1973.