HC Deb 14 May 1975 vol 892 cc136-7W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the internees and detainees released since internment was introduced were later redetained or sentenced for terrorist activity.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

1,846 persons have been released from internment or detention since August 1971. 176 were re-detained once and 11 twice. Details of the number of former internees and detainees sentenced during this period for terrorist activities are not readily available. Police criminal record files do not state whether the person concerned is an ex-detainee or an ex-internee. It would therefore require a disproportionate effort on the part of the Special Branch, CID and Criminal Record Office to provide the information requested.