§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the number of requests by prisoners for permanent transfer to Northern Ireland and the outcome of these requests in each year since 1985; and whether these requests came from loyalists, republicans or prisoners whose offences were unconnected to the Northern Ireland conflict;
(2) what are the figures for each year since 1985 of the number of requests by prisoners for transfer to Northern Ireland for accumulated visits and the outcome of these requests; and whether these requests came from loyalists, republicans or prisoners whose offences were unconnected to the Northern Ireland conflict;
(3) what are the figures of the number of requests by prisoners for transfer to Northern Ireland which he notified to the Northern Ireland Office in each year since 1980 broken down on the basis of permanent and temporary transfers.
§ Mrs. RumboldInformation is not kept on the political background of inmates seeking transfers to Northern Ireland. The other information requested is given in the tables.
693W
Permanent transfer Temporary transfer 1984 3 3 1985 6 6 1986 2 — 1987 14 6 1988 17 10 1989 24 2
Permanent transfer Temporary transfer 1990 28 11 1991 (to 31 May) 12 8 3 Referrals made in any given year may include requests made in previous years.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether requests by prisoners from Northern Ireland for permanent transfer are initially processed by the prison governor and may be rejected at this stage;
(2) whether requests by prisoners from Northern Ireland for temporary transfer to take advantage of accumulated visits are initially processed by the prison governor and may be rejected at this stage.
§ Mrs. RumboldNo. All such requests are referred to prison service headquarters for consideration.