HC Deb 26 May 1988 vol 134 cc273-5W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of days spent on remand by those remanded in custody for terrorist-type offences in the second half of 1987, with regard to cases now completed in England and Wales; and what was the number of bail applications refused, respectively.

Mr. Hurd

The cases of four people who were remanded in custody for terrorist-related offences in the second half of 1987 have now been completed. The average number of days spent on remand was 86. In each case one bail application was refused.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in Great Britain were charged with terrorist-type offences relating to Northern Ireland in 1987; how many of those charged were released on bail; and what was the average period between remand and trial fór prisoners refused bail, relating to such charges in Britain in 1987.

Mr. Hurd

During 1987 10 people in Great Britain were charged with terrorist-type offences in connection with the affairs of Northern Ireland. The charges against two of these people were later withdrawn, although one of the two was subsequently excluded from Great Britain under section 4 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984. Six people are awaiting trial, one of whom has been released on bail. In the two completed cases the two people concerned were remanded into custody and were refused bail. The period between remand and trial in these two cases was 22 days and 294 days respectively.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences with which people initially detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1984 in Great Britain in 1987 were charged and give the outcome in each case as to acquittals, convictions and sentences imposed.

Mr. Hurd

Details of charges following detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 in Great Britain in 1987, and the outcome, where known, are given in the following table:

Charges brought following detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 in Great Britain in 1987
Charged under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984
Number charged Section Outcome
1 Section 9 2 years imprisonment
1 Section 10 Charges withdrawn
7 Schedule 3 1–30 days imprisonment
2–60 days imprisonment
4 fined: 1x£30, 1x£75, 1x£92, 1x£150

Charged under other legislation
Number charged Legislation Outcome
1 Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to possess firearms) 4 years (and 2 years on a further charge, to run concurrently)
1 Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to possess firearms) Charges withdrawn (excluded under PTA)
2 Explosive Substances Act 1883 Section 1 (conspiracy to cause explosions) Awaiting trial
5 Explosive Substances Act 1883 Section 3 (possession of explosives) Awaiting trial
4 Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to kidnap) Prosecution gave no evidence. All cases dismissed. However one person was deported and one person was removed under the Immigration Act 1971.
3 Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to commit murder) Awaiting trial
2 Offences against the Person Act 1861 Section 1 (murder) Awaiting trial

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were remanded in custody before trial for terrorist-type offences in 1987.

Mr. Douglas Hurd

Nineteen such persons were remanded into custody during 1987.