§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many of the 2,629 persons originally arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts, between 1974 and the end of 1986, who were charged with offences under other Acts, were subsequently found not guilty; whether they can split the figures between the various jurisdictions within the United Kingdom; and whether there is any reason to think that some charges may have been brought, principally to justify arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness)Information is published annually in Home Office statistical bulletins on the outcome of charges for those detained in Great Britain under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts and charged with criminal offences other than under these Acts (Table 7 of Issue 2/87). More detailed information on where charges were brought could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on the outcome of charges for those detained in Northern Ireland under the Acts is not available. The question of whether or not a person arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act was lawfully arrested depends on whether the legal basis for exercising the power of arrest set down in the Act existed. We are satisfied that these powers are exercised properly. Furthermore, we have no evidence that persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have been charged for any other reasons than that these charges were appropriate. These powers are not, however, exercised solely with a view to bringing charges; the objective may be the making of an exclusion order, or the exercise of powers under the Immigration Act 1971.