§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in Northern Ireland were convicted of scheduled offences in 1980 and in 1981; and how many of them were unemployed at time of arrest.
§ Mr. PriorInformation is available only in respect of persons convicted on indictment at Belfast Crown court of offences scheduled under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. The numbers of persons so convicted are as follows:
1980–621
1981–557
It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to say how many persons were unemployed at the time of their arrest.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what scheduled offences persons under 17 years of age in Northern Ireland were (a) charged and (b) convicted during 1981.
§ Mr. PriorIt is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to itemise the schedule offences with which persons under 17 years of age were charged in any particular year. However, the scheduled offences and number of such persons convicted during 1981 are as follows:
210W
Higher Courts Offence Numbers convicted Possession of firearm with intent to injure 1 Robbery 20 Hijacking 2 Conspiracy to rob 2 Arson 4 Criminal damage 1 Manufacture or possession of petrol bombs 3 Possession of firearm in suspicious circumstances 5 Manufacture of prohibited weapons 1 Membership of a proscribed organisation 1 Total 40 Summary Courts Manufacture or possession of petrol bombs 3 Possession of firearm in suspicious circumstances 1 Criminal damage 1 Total 5 Grand Total 45