§ Mr. Dunlopasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many Republican prisoners have been released from detention on medical grounds over the last five years;
(2) how many Loyalist prisoners have been released from detention on medical grounds over the last five years.
§ Mr. AlisonDuring the last five years 12 prisoners have been released on health grounds. Of these, five were prisoners who had claimed and were granted special category status: one Loyalist and four Republicans. There is no information on the affiliation, if any, of the other prisoners.