HC Deb 04 February 1986 vol 91 cc100-1W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the number of cases in which persons were convicted of scheduled offences in Northern Ireland in 1985 on the basis of evidence given by accomplices on behalf of the Crown and in which evidence other than that of the accomplice, either forensic, from witnesses other than convicted terrorists or by an admission of guilt from the accused, was also used to obtain the conviction.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986]: As I explained in my answer of 7 February 1985, courts make their decisions having regard to all of the admissible evidence which is placed before them. It is not possible to identify cases in which the eventual decision depended only on accomplice evidence.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were detained in connection with terrorist-type offences under Acts other than the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Acts in 1985.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986]: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.