§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are remanded in custody in 202W prisons in Northern Ireland; and what is the longest period of remand.
§ Mr. Concannon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th November 1978], gave the following information:
On 19th November 1978 there were 279 prisoners on remand and another 296 awaiting trial. The total of 575 is made up of 548 males and 27 females.
The longest period for which any of the 575 prisoners has been in custody since first remand is two years. The prisoner concerned would have been tried some months ago but.for, an application on behalf of one of The persons jointly accused that the trial should be adjourned in order to await. judgment in another case which was to go before the House of Lords. In spite of strong 'opposition by Crown counsel, that application was agreed by the judge. Judgment in the House of Lords case has since been given, and the trial of the prisoner in fact began on 27th November.
The average length of time from first remand until trial for scheduled offences during 1978 has been 40 weeks. The corresponding figure for non-scheduled offences is about 22 weeks.