§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the occasions since the beginning of direct rule when the Royal prerogative of mercy has been used in Northern Ire- 706W land; and if he will list the dates, offences and length of sentence given and served in each case.
§ Mr. AlisonSince 1972 the Royal prerogative of mercy has been used to remit all or part of a custodial sentence on the number of occasions listed below in column 1. Additionally special remission has been granted, because of Christmas holidays, on the number of occasions listed in column 2.
(1) (2) 1972 56 23 1973 96 19 1974 47 70 1975 33 33 1976 6 41 1977 8 15 1978 22 32 1979 77 31 1980 (to 30 June) 50 — The information necessary to list the dates, offences and lengths of sentence is not readily available, and could not be obtained without disproportionate effort and expense.