§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in British prisons who give as their domicile Northern Ireland have been returned to Northern Ireland to serve the whole or part of their sentences in 1986 and 1987; and how many of these prisoners were serving sentences for terrorist-type offences.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIn 1986 two inmates were transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland at their own request to serve the remainder of their sentences, and in 1987 three such transfers were made. Four of these inmates gave Northern Ireland as their domicile, and one was granted a transfer as an exception to the normal criteria in view of his strong family ties with Northern Ireland. None had been convicted of terrorist-type offences. Transfers of inmates from Scotland to Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in England and Wales in 1986 and 1987.
§ Mr. John PattenIn 1986 the average length of sentences of immediate custody imposed by the courts on female offenders was 10.2 months. Provisional estimates indicate that in 1987 the average increased to 12.3 months.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average period of custodial remand for female custodial remand prisoners in England and Wales for the years 1986 and 1987.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggInformation on the average time spent on remand in prison department establishments is276W published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales", table 2(a) of the latest issue, for 1986, Cm.210, copies of which are in the Library. Information for 1987 is not yet available.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners giving as their domicile either(a) the Republic of Ireland of (b) Northern Ireland have been permitted to return home to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland on parole for humanitarian reasons in 1986 and 1987.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThis information is not available.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were transferred from(a) England and Wales to Northern Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland to England and Wales in 1987; and under which section of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 such transfers were carried out.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThree inmates were transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland under section 26 of the 1961 Act, and two under section 27. Three inmates were transferred from Northern Ireland to England and Wales under section 29 of the Act.