§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons wanted by the police in Northern Ireland in connection with terrorist murders and other terrorist offences, respectively, are now reported to be in the Republic of Ireland; how many such are now reported to be in other foreign countries; what requests for extradition have been made; and what proceedings have been started under the criminal law jurisdiction legislation.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsIt is not possible to provide figures for those wanted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary for murder and other scheduled offences who are in the Republic of Ireland or other countries. Although the RUC believes that certain people whom it wishes to interview in connection with these offences may have gone to the Republic or to other countries, it is not always possible to know precisely where they are at present.
229WDuring the current troubles 80 warrants seeking the extradition of persons in connection with scheduled offences have been forwarded to the Garda Siochana. In 1976 one person was extradited as a result. It is not possible, without disproportionate expense, to provide information about extradition requests to countries other than the Republic, but the number is believed to be small. Prosecutions against four persons have been mounted in the Republic under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act 1975 in relation to offences committed in Northern Ireland. Three persons charged with murder were acquitted in 1980 and a fourth was charged on 5 February 1981 with murder.