HC Deb 18 February 1987 vol 110 cc725-6W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners charged with scheduled offences in the latest calendar year for which figures are available were remanded in custody prior to trial for periods between (a) up to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) 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, respectively.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 16 February 1987, c. 462]: The length of time spent on custodial remand for persons tried during 1986 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 193 343
3 months up to 6 months 85 50
6 months up to 9 months 51 17
9 months up to 12 months 35 6
12 months up to 18 months 27 2
Over 18 months 61 0
TOTAL 452 418

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 preceeded against in 1986.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 16 February 1987, c. 462]: The information in relation to those tried in 1986 and who were in custody at the time of trial is as follows:

Disposal Scheduled offences (per cent.) Non-scheduled offences (per cent.)
(a) Non-custodial sentence 6.9 13.9
(b) Custodial sentence 73.0 55.2
(c) Found not guilty or not proceeded against 20.1 30.9

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 1986.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 16 February 1987, c.462]: For persons tried in 1986 and who were (a) in custody at the time of their trial; (b) never released on bail; and (c) were charged with cheduled offences, the average time spent on custodial remand was 37.5 weeks.