HC Deb 09 February 1976 vol 905 cc29-30W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if the organisers of the civil rights march in Londonderry on Saturday 31st January 1976 and the organisers of the IRA protest meeting and march in Londonderry on Sunday 1st February 1976 gave the statutory notice to the police; and, if not, what action is being taken by the RUC;

(2) if he will publish photographs of the riots in the Fountain and in Bishop Street in Londonderry on Sunday 1st February, with a view to getting the involvement and co-operation of the public in the identification of the rioters;

(3) how many persons have been identified by the police as having taken part in Republican or civil rights acts of disruption in Londonderry in 1974 and in 1975; how many such persons have been charged and how many convicted; how many such acts of disruption—that is, illegal marches, sit-downs on the roadway, riot and stone-throwing, etc.—are known to have taken place; and what is the maximum number of persons in any single act or demonstration and what is the minimum in any single demonstration or act;

(4) if he has any plans for introducing into the judicial system in Northern Ireland small claims courts along the lines now operating in England in order to speed and cheapen the costs of litigation;

(5) if he will take steps to extend the jurisdiction of the petty sessions courts to accommodate small claims; and if he will make a statement;

(6) in what way the procedures of identification of persons who stage sit-downs on the public highway have been improved since November 1974.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.