HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 cc1086-7W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the security forces convicted of offences in Northern Ireland and sentenced to custodial sentences have been allowed to return to Great Britain to serve their sentence for humanitarian reasons in 1988 and the first six months of the current year; and how many members of the security forces secured early release from their sentences in the same period.

Mr. Cope

There have been no transfers of sentenced members of the security forces to Great Britain in 1988 or in the first six months of the current year, nor has any such person been released in Northern Ireland except under normal release procedures.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will give details for 1986 of the number of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, their respective Reserves, and the British Army, who have been charged with offences and who have been convicted of offences, giving details of custodial sentences and suspended sentences imposed and separately for charges and convictions concerning: murder, attempted murder, membership of illegal organisations, conspiracy to cause explosions, withholding information concerning terrorist activity, possession of explosives, possession of explosives with intent to cause bodily harm, possession of firearms, possession of firearms with intent to cause bodily harm and other offences classified as scheduled offences in 1988 and the first half of 1989;

(2) if he will list for (a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary/Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, (b) the Ulster Defence Regiment and (c) the Army, the number of members and ex-members of these forces charged with and the number convicted of, scheduled offences committed, or allegedly committed, by members of the security forces while using firearms in 1988.

Mr. Cope

I will write to the hon. Member.