§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons of the 1,029 held for interrogation under the Emergency Provisions Acts 1973 and 1978 and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1976 for more than four hours who were charged were subsequently convicted of any charge.
§ Mr. AlisonI assume that the hon. Member is referring solely to arrests in Northern Ireland under section 12 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976, which provides for arrest and detention without charge for a period of 48 hours and for the extension of that period by the Secretary of State by up to five days.
Up to 31 March 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,048 people had been arrested in Northern Ireland under this section. Of that number, 486 were charged with offences but it would not be possible without disproportionate cost to say how many have since been convicted.