HC Deb 15 December 1988 vol 143 cc722-3W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases regarding applications for deportation of Italian nationals from the United Kingdom to Italy in connection with terrorist offences are still outstanding; when a decision is likely to be reached by him on each such case; and how many requests for deportation by the Italian authorities in the last five years have been agreed to and duly implemented.

Mr. Hurd

I assume that the question relates to extradition rather than deportation. There are no requests outstanding from Italy for the extradition of persons in connection with terrorist offences. Within the last five years there has been one request by the Italian authorities for the extradition of a person believed to have terrorist connections and she was surrendered in 1986.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in reaching a decision on the application for the deportation of Roberto Fiore to Italy where he is wanted in connection with the bombing in 1980 of Bologna railway station.

Mr. Hurd

In 1981 the Italian Government requested the extradition of Mr. Fiore for a number of terrorist offences, but the request failed in the courts because a prima facie case could not be established. This requirement has of course been removed in the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

No further request has been received from the Italian Court, but Mr. Fiore has been informed that consideration is being given to his deportation under section 3(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1971. He has made representations against such action, and the case is being further considered.