§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been detained by the Merseyside police under the Prevention of Terrorism Act; how many have been prosecuted or released; and how many are still pending.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees566 people were detained up to 25th February 1977. Of these, 43 were prosecuted; 16 were removed under exclusion orders; 504 released; prosecutions were pending in two cases; and one person was still in custody. The 43 prosecutions include five people charged with conspiracy to cause explosions, three charged with attempted328W murder and four charged with causing explosions.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the working of the Prevention of Terrorism Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI believe the Act is making a valuable contribution to the protection of the public against terrorism. I laid in draft on 24th February an order renewing the operations of the Act for a further 12 months from 25th March 1977.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted on Merseyside under the Prevention of Terrorism Act; and what sentences have been given.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNone.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of detention of persons under the Prevention of Terrorism Act on Merseyside who were later released.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOne and a half days.