HC Deb 15 December 1994 vol 251 c762W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Attorney-General if his office contacted officials in the Irish Attorney-General's office about the then outstanding warrants for Father Brendan Smyth in September, October and November 1993.

The Attorney-General

I refer the hon. Member to my written replies to the hon. Member for Thurrock of 21 November 1994,Official Report, columns 37–38, and 28 November 1994, Official Report, column 512.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 5 December,Official Report, columns 17–18, if he concurs with the statement contained in the Irish Attorney-General's report of 1 December to the Taoiseach in respect of the Brendan Smyth extradition case on the timings of contacts between the United Kingdom authorities and the Irish Attorney-General regarding the matter and the conclusions drawn on whether the matter was considered urgent; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

I refer the hon. Member to my written replies to him of 21 November 1994,Official Report, columns 37–38 and 28 November 1994, Official Report, column 512.

In cases such as this, documentation is supplied to the Irish authorities from which they are able to assess the urgency and importance of the case. In so far as the matter is the subject of specific time constraints, it is the practice to draw attention to them.