§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have been charged in England and Wales under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act; and how many have been convicted;
(2) how many persons have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act in England and Wales at the latest date;
(3) how many persons have been charged in Liverpool under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act; and how many have been convicted;
(4) how many persons have been detained (a) in Liverpool and (b) on Merseyside under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act at the latest date.
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§ Mr. HurdInformation on detentions up to the first quarter of 1987 by police force area is published in table 3 of Home Office "Statistical Bulletin" issue 11/87 and on charges and convictions up to 31 December 1986 in "Statistical Bulletin" issue 2/87. All detention by Merseyside police since May 1985 were recorded centrally as having taken place in Liverpool. Information on charges and their outcome for those detained in Merseyside was given to the hon. Member in reply to his question on 16 March 1987, at columns361–62. Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons who were arrested in Liverpool under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act could have been charged under other legislation.
§ Mr. HurdIt is not possible to say how many persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 in any area could have been charged under other legislation at the time they were arrested.
§ Mr. Hindasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the recommendations made by Viscount Colville of Culross in his review of the operation during 1986 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdI have considered very carefully the recommendation made by Viscount Colville on the use of the exclusion power in the Prevention of Terrorism Act. I have decided that it would not be wise now to discontinue the powers in sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Act. I shall keep the matter under review in the light of any comments Viscount Colville makes in his report on the Act as a whole to be published later this year.
Viscount Colville made several important points on the administration of the Act both by the police and Government Departments. We have accepted his recommendations on a number of these points and a copy of a letter to chief officers of police will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.