HC Deb 12 January 1976 vol 903 cc87-9W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of persons who, having been released from internment or detention, were (a) re-detained and (b) brought before the courts for terrorist offences; what is the number of persons who, after having served a prison sentence for a terrorist offence, were either (c) detained or (d) brought again before the courts for a similar offence during the present troubles; and what is the percentage of the released detainees, internees and ex-prisoners, respectively, who were so charged or re-detained.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Of nearly 2,000 internees and detainees released since August 1971, 170 persons were re-detained once after being released from internment or detention, another nine were re-detained twice. Up to 17th December 1975, 109 persons, between 5

since 5th October 1968, together with the amounts claimed from public funds in each year and the amounts paid in respect of these claims and the amount in claims outstainding on 31st December 1975.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

It is not possible to state the number of premises damaged by terrorist activity in any particular year. Information is available in respect of claims made, claims settled and amounts of compensation paid in each financial year since 1968 under the Criminal Injuries to Property Acts 1956–1970 and Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971. This information is set out in the table below:—

per cent. and 6 per cent. had been brought before the courts for scheduled offences after their release from internment or detention.

Details of the number of detainees who had previously served prison sentences for terrorist-type offences, and the number of exprisoners who have been charged with further terrorist offences after release, is not readily available, and it would require disproportionate effort and expense to obtain the information.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has considered attaching conditions to release from detention, with penalties for breach of the same.

Mr. Merlyn Rees,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10th December 1975; Vol. 902, c. 265–6], gave the following information:

Provision exists under paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) (Amendment) Act 1975 giving the Secretary of State power to attach conditions to release from detention and a person so released could be recalled at any time. On a number of occasions I have considered using this power, but I came to the conclusion that it was not appropriate or practical to do so.