§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have been detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act; how many have subsequently been charged with offences; and with which offences they have been charged;
(2) of the charges brought against suspects initially held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, if any have been dropped before the case was heard, if so, which charges; if any charges have led to an unsuccessful prosecution, if so, which charges; if any charges led to a successful prosecution; and, if so, what was the sentence imposed.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 February 1979, Vol. 962, c. 3147], gave the following information:
Some of the figures in the table below differ from those given in previous written answers following a complete review of all the information available centrally on persons detained under the Acts and charged with criminal offences.
315W
316W317W
PERSONS DETAINED UNDER THE PREVENTION OF TERRORISM (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACTS AND CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCES BETWEEN 29 NOVEMBER 1974 AND 4 FEBRUARY 1979 Number of persons: Principal offence with which charged Total Not proceeded with Awaiting trial Acquitted Found guilty Sentences Charged in Great Britain Offences under Prevention of Terrorism Acts 32(a) — 12 7(b) 13 10 years; 8 years; 2 years (2); 1 year (2); 5 months; 3 months (3); 1 day; fine (2) Conspiracy to commit above 24 — 24 — — — Murder 4 1(c) — 3 — — Attempted murder 3 — — — 3 Life (3) Conspiracy to murder 1 — 1 — — — Causing/conspiracy to cause explosions 24 — 2 5 17 20 years (2); 16 years; 15 years; 14 years (2); 12 years; 10 years (6); 7 years; 5 years; 4 years; Borstal Unlawful possession/conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life 14 — 2 3 9 14 years; 12 years (2); 10 years (2); 7 years; 5 years; 4 years (2) Offences under Firearms Act 1968 12 — — — 12 7 years; 15 months; 3 months; suspended sentence (2); fine (6); firearm confiscated Burglary/aggravated burglary 10 1 1 1 7 6 years; 6 months; 3 months (2); fine (3) Other Theft Act offences 52 4 7 — 41 3 years; 2 years; 6 months (3); 4 months; 3 months (2); suspended sentence (4); probation (3); fine (23); conditional discharge Forgery 1 — — — 1 Fine Violence against the person 6 — — — 6 3 months; fine (4); conditional discharge Non-payment of fine 9 — 2 — 7 6 months (2); 30 days; made to pay fine (3); attachment of earnings Other offences 14 3 — 1 10 4 months; fine (5); conditional discharge (3); absolute discharge Total charged in Great Britain 206 9 51 20 126
Number of persons: Principal offence with which charged Total Not proceeded with Awaiting trial Acquitted Found guilty Sentences Returned to Northern Ireland and charged Murder … … … 8 4(d) 3 — 1 Life Causing an explosion … … … 6 2 — — 4 7 years; 5 years; 2 years; 18 months Unlawful possession of explosives … … … 4 1 — — 3 7 years; 5 years; 9 months detention Firearms offences … … … 5 1 — — 4 Suspended sentence (4) Robbery … … … 4 1 3 6 years; 5 years; borstal Burglary … … … 5 — — — 5 3 years; 1 year; 10 months; borstal; conditional discharge Theft … … … 1 — — — 1 Conditional discharge Riotous behaviour … … … 1 — — — 1 3 months Total charged in Northern Ireland … … … 34 8 4 — 22 Returned to the Republic of Ireland and charged Causing an explosion … … … 1 — 1 — — — Burglary … … … 2 1(e) — — 1 Conditional discharge Theft … … … 1 — — 1 Probation Total charged in the Republic of Ireland … … 4 1 1 — 2 Total … … … 244 18 56 20 150 (a) In addition, eight person were originally held under other powers than the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act and subsequently charged with offences under the Act; four were not proceeded with and four were found guilty, one of whom was sentenced to eight years and three to five years imprisonment. (b) One of these persons was found guilty of harbouring a terrorist and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. (c) Found guilty of a lesser offence—possession of explosives—and sentenced to five months' imprisonment. (d) Found guilty of lesser offences—two manslaughter; one robbery; one firearms offence—and sentenced to eight years, seven years, four years and 15 months imprisonment respectively. (e) Found guilty of theft and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.