§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have had their period of detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts extended pending the results of forensic tests.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 3 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend considers each application to extend the 48-hour period for which a person may be detained in light of arrest under section 14 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 very carefully. It would not be appropriate to categorise cases in the manner requested; but in his most recent report on the operation of the Act in 1992, Lord Colville, who looked at all the extension order files held by the Scottish Office for that year, states that
… the proper criteria are being carefully observed in considering whether extensions should be granted".