HC Deb 20 February 1986 vol 92 cc273-4W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners charged with scheduled offences in the latest calendar year were remanded in custody prior to trial for periods between (a) nought to three months, (b) three to six months, (c)L six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months, (e) 12 to 18 months and (f) over 18 months for scheduled and non-scheduled offences.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 75]: The length of time spent in custodial remand for persons tried in 1985 and who were in custody at the time of their trial and charged with scheduled and nonscheduled offences respectively was as follows:

Time in custody Scheduled offences Non-scheduled offences
Less than 3 months 121 401
3 months up to 6 months 59 37
6 months up to 9 months 49 21
9 months up to 12 months 52 12
12 months up to 18 months 59 2
Over 18 months 73 0
Total 413 473

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many prisoners for each year since 1980, were remanded in custody prior to trial for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, respectively;

(2) how many prisoners were remanded in custody prior to trial for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, respectively, for the latest calendar year and the year to date.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 75]: The information is as follows:

Year Scheduled offences Non-scheduled offences
1980 828 854
1981 1,373 1,092
1982 1,199 1,122
1983 1,154 1,009
1984 1,005 905
1985 931 807

Information for 1986 is not available.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Percentage of Prisoners on custodial remand for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, respectively, Were (a) given a non-custodial sentence, (b) given a custodial sentence and (c) found not guilty or not Proceeded against for the latest calendar year and the year to date.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 75]: The information in relation to those tried in 1985 is as follows:

Disposal Scheduled Offences Per cent. Non-scheduled Offences Per cent.
(A) Non-custodial Sentence 7.24 11.20
(B) Custodial Sentence 68.36 59.41
(C) Found not guilty or not proceeded against 24.40 29.39

Information for 1986 is not available.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average length of time that prisoners spent on custodial remand for scheduled and non-scheduled offences respectively for the latest calendar year and the year to date.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 75]: The average length of time spent on custodial remand for persons tried in 1985, who were in custody at the time of trial was 39.2 weeks for persons charged with scheduled offences and 5.5 weeks for persons charged with nonscheduled offences.

Information for 1986 is not available.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the average period between remand and trial for prisoners refused bail and charged with scheduled offences in Northern Ireland in the latest calendar year and to date.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 3 February 1986, c. 75]: For persons tried in 1985 who were (a) in custody at the time of trial, (b) never released on bail and (c) charged with scheduled offences, the average time spent on custodial remand was 38.7 weeks.

Information for 1986 is not available.