§ Mr. TrimbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the exercise of the powers contained in section 57 of and schedule 5 to the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewDuring 1992, I received 24 applications from the Royal Ulster Constabulary for the appointment of persons to exercise the powers conferred by schedule 5 to the 1991 Act.
The following statistics indicate the extent of the use of these powers during the 1992 calendar year.
Number (a) number of applications for appointment 124 (b) number of appointments made 123 (c) number of notices to attend issued 130 (d) number of interviews conducted 123 (e) number of search warrants obtained 10 (f) number of persons charged with Schedule 5 offences 11 (g) number of persons convicted of Schedule 5 offences 11 (h) number of search warrants or orders obtained 20 (i) number of production orders obtained 20 (j) number of explanation orders obtained 20 1 Under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) act 1991. 2 Under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. I am satisfied that the powers have been used to good effect and that they are extremely useful in the continuing efforts to disrupt and curtail terrorist fund raising and to bring offenders to justice.