§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many requests for transfers to gaols in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland have been received from prisoners, currently serving their sentences in England or Wales, in the current year;
(2) how many prisoners have been transferred from a gaol in England and Wales to a gaol in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland during 1988.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggSince the beginning of the year there have been 48 requests for permanent transfer to establishments in Northern Ireland and 15 for temporary transfer. There have also been 10 requests for permanent transfer to the Republic of Ireland.
During the same period six inmates have been accepted for permanent transfer from England and Wales to Northern Ireland and five for temporary transfer. Not all these transfers have yet taken place. Transfers of prisoners to and from the Republic of Ireland will not be possible until the Republic ratifies the European convention on the transfer of sentenced persons.