§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number of persons arrested on Merseyside under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to the latest available date;
(2) if he will list the number of persons who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Pro- 108W visions) Act in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, to the latest available date.
§ Mr. BrittanThe information requested was published in table 2 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 1/80 issued on 29 January 1980, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received asking for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act; and if he will list the objections received.
§ Mr. BrittanIn the past year about 120 letters have been received from members of the public about powers to deal with terrorism. Most have asked for more powers to be taken. Those which are critical of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 express concern mainly about the powers of arrest, detention and exclusion and security checks at ports.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of persons convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, to the latest available date.
§ Mr. WhitelawOf the 33 persons convicted in Great Britain of offences under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976 between 29 November 1974 and 31 December 1979, 11 were convicted in England, 22 in Scotland and none in Wales.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is satisfied with the working of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act; and if he will make a statement:
(2) when the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act is due to be renewed; and if Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to relax the provisions of the Act.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 will lapse on 25 March unless renewed. I am considering its renewal in whole or in part, and will make a statement at the appropriate time.
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§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of persons convicted on Merseyside under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to the latest available date.
§ Mr. WhitelawBetween 29 November 1974 and 31 December 1979, four persons were convicted in the Merseyside police force area for offences under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976; all of these persons had been detained in Merseyside under the Acts.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the number of persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act on Merseyside who were not later convicted.
§ Mr. WhitelawOf the 1,101 persons detained in the Merseyside police force area under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976 between 29 November 1974 and 31 December 1979, 48 have been convicted of a criminal offence, one has been charged and the result is not yet known, two have been charged and not found guilty, and a further 40 persons have been excluded without being charged, leaving 1,010 neither excluded nor charged with any offence.