HC Deb 14 July 1975 vol 895 c353W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, at 1st July 1975, how many prisoners and detainees, respectively, in Northern Ireland claimed to be members of the PIRA, the OIRA, the IRSP, the UDA, the UVF, and other groups, respectively.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The 1,348 special category convicted prisoners in custody on 1st July 1975 have claimed connection with the following organisations:

PIRA 764
OIRA 67
IRSP 15
UDA 246
UVF 256

Some other convicted prisoners and untried prisoners have at times claimed connection with these organisations but there are no overall figures.

Of the 270 detainees held on 1st July, all are believed to have been associated with the Provisional IRA, although a very small number may also have had some connections with the Official IRA.

Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many detainees from County Armagh have been released since 1st January 1975, and since 1st June 1975, respectively; and how many were from the Craigavon area.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Twelve detainees from County Armagh, including eight from the Craigavon area, have been released since 1st January 1975. Two of these, both from the Craigavon area, were released after 1st June 1975.