HC Deb 05 February 1986 vol 91 c188W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the security forces convicted of offences in Northern Ireland and sentenced to custodial sentences have been allowed to return to Great Britain on parole for humanitarian reasons in 1985.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 75]: There is no parole scheme in Northern Ireland. There are provisions for home leave for certain sentenced inmates, but information about the granting of home leave to former members of the security forces is not readily available.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of prisoners refused bail for each year since 1980; and what is the average period of remand without bail for accused persons charged either wholly or in part on the basis of accomplice evidence in each of the following categories (a) the top decile of prisoners awaiting trial for the longest period, (b) the top quartile of prisoners awaiting trial for the longest period, (c) the second quartile of prisoners awaiting trial for the longest period and (d) the average period of remand for all prisoners charged on the basis of such evidence.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 76–77]: The total number of applications for bail which were refused in each year since 1980 was as follows:

Number
1980 728
1981 951
1982 990
1983 855
1984 849
1985 764

Information on remand times for those at present on remand in custody who have been charged on the basis of evidence from alleged accomplice is not separately available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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