§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of people held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs were not allowed to contact a solicitor for the first 48 hours;
(2) what proportion of people held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs exercised their right under (a) 56 and (b) section 58 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act;
(3) what proportion of people held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs were not allowed to contact another person for the first 48 hours.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThis information is not available.
§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many searches were made of the records held by the national joint unit at Scotland Yard in each year from 1987 to 1990, respectively.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe number of inquiries made of the records held by the national joint unit was as follows:
Number 1987 81,060 1988 77,472 1989 101,766 1990 83,753
§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many computerised records the national joint unit holds on individuals for the control of terrorism in connection with Northern Ireland affairs.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe information is not available in the form requested.
§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and how many women have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts in connection with Northern Ireland affairs each quarter since 22 March 1984(a) at ports and airports and (b) elsewhere.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe information requested is given in the tables.
368W
Men Women Total (a) Ports 1984 Q1 1 — — — Q2 1 — — 20 Q3 1 — — 19 Q41 — — 16 1985 Q1 12 0 12 Q2 18 4 22 Q3 17 5 22 Q4 14 0 14 369W
Men Women Total 1986 Q1 30 2 32 Q2 6 1 7 Q3 14 1 15 Q4 19 1 20 1987 Q1 41 2 43 Q2 38 2 40 Q3 26 3 29 Q4 21 1 22 1988 Q1 22 1 23 Q2 17 0 17 Q3 42 2 44 Q4 25 1 26 1989 Q1 19 1 20 Q2 19 0 19 Q3 21 0 21 Q4 17 1 18 1990 Q1 14 0 14 Q2 16 2 18 Q3 9 1 10 Q4 9 2 11 (b) Elsewhere 1984 Q1 1— — Q2 10 Q3 9 Q4 29 1985 Q1 10 2 12 Q2 36 10 46 Q3 11 2 13 Q4 44 8 52 1986 Q1 0 0 0 Q2 14 3 17 Q3 11 1 12 Q4 43 1 44 1987 Q1 15 2 17 Q2 12 0 12 Q3 14 3 17 Q4 4 0 4 1988 Q1 6 4 10 Q2 11 0 11 Q3 14 2 16 Q4 21 2 23 1989 Q1 12 4 16 Q2 14 2 16 Q3 17 0 17 Q4 31 5 36 1990 Q1 15 1 16 Q2 27 4 31 Q3 24 2 26 Q4 37 6 43 1 From 22 March 1984. Figures not available in the form required. This information is in respect of detentions in Great Britain only. Information in respect of detentions in Northern Ireland is not available by sex and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the role of the national joint unit at Scotland Yard; and how many people work in this unit.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe role of the national joint unit at New Scotland Yard is to prepare, on behalf of all police forces in Great Britain, applications to the Secretary of State for extensions of detention and exclusion orders under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, and to provide advice to police forces on the operation of the Act. The unit is staffed by 17 police officers, most of whom are seconded to it for short periods from provincial forces.
§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average length of time from the initial arrest to the first interview under paragraph 3(2) of schedule 3 for all those arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 in connection with Northern Ireland affairs;
(2) what was the average length of time from the moment they were stopped to the first interview under paragraph 3(2) of schedule 3 for all those people stopped
Number of people Offence Where charged Outcome 3 Conspiracy to cause explosions London In two cases the charges were dropped. The third is awaiting trial. 2 Conspiracy to murder London Awaiting trial. 1 Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life London 9 months in young offenders' institution. 1 Possession of a firearm in an aerodrome Bedfordshire Awaiting trial. 2 Assault occasioning actual bodily harm 1 Wiltshire Fined 1 London 4 months' imprisonment. 1 Driving with excess alcohol Essex Fined. 1 Driving whilst disqualified Warwickshire 6 months' imprisonment suspended for 2 years. 4 Various offences under Theft Acts 1968 & 1978 2 London 1 Failed to appear—warrant issued 1 Fined. 1 Essex Conditional discharge. 1 Surrey 6 months' imprisonment suspended for one year. 1 Possession of forged passport and driving licence Greater Manchester Fined. 1 Criminal damage Belfast 1 month in young offenders' institution. The table relates to those detained in Great Britain only. In addition 262 people who were detained in Northern Ireland between 22 March and 31 December 1990 were charged with offences in Northern Ireland. Details of the offences and the outcome of the charges are not available.