§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the longest stated period of time the names of persons who have been arrested in Great Britain on suspicion of terrorist activities and for association with the IRA; how many of these were prosecuted; and with what results in each stated case.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsDetentions in Great Britain under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974, which had effect from 29th November 1974 to 25th March 1976, number 1,415. Twenty-five people have so far been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976, which came into effect on 25th March 1976. It is not possible to say how many people have been detained in connection with terrorist offences under other provisions.
Of those who have been detained in Great Britain under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976, 77 have been charged, eight of them with murder, three with attempted murder, 11 with conspiracy 594W 7th July 1975, the abolition of the duty of a coroner's jury to name the person it finds responsible for causing a death and the coroner's duty to commit that person for trial will be proposed as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity is found. More generally, the statement I made on 6th August promised discussions with the various bodies concerned, and a consultation document is being prepared.—[Vol. 895. c. 46–7; Vol. 897, c. 211.]