HC Deb 06 July 1994 vol 246 cc252-3W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Northern Ireland prisoners have received transfers from Scotland to Northern Ireland since 1 January 1993; and how many were(a) permanent, (b) temporary, (c) male, (d) female, (e) loyalists and (f) republican transfers.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 5 July 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 6 July 1994: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question about the number of Northern Ireland prisoners who have received transfers from Scotland to Northern Ireland since 1 January 1993; and how many were (a) permanent, (b) temporary, (c) male, (d) female, (e) loyalists and (f) republican transfers. Since 1 January 1993 a total of 5 male prisoners have received transfers from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Of those who were transferred 3 were permanently transferred and 2 were transferred on a temporary basis. No female prisoners have been transferred since 1 January 1993 to date. I am unable to inform you whether the prisoners transferred were loyalist or republican as prisoners in Scotland are not classified by reference to the political or other motivation of their offences.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the greatest, the shortest and the average length of time between application by prisoners for temporary or permanent transfer from Scotland to Northern Ireland and notification of the decision to accept or reject the application.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 5 July 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 6 July 1994: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question as to what was the greatest, the shortest and the average length of time between application by prisoners for temporary or permanent transfer from Scotland to Northern Ireland and notification of the decision to accept or reject the application. Transfers of prisoners between Scotland and Northern Ireland have been effected since the introduction of the Criminal Justice Act 1961. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide you with the information you require as the information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for how long a prisoner whose application for transfer from Scotland to Northern Ireland is refused must wait before reapplying.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 5 July 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzel. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from E. W. Frizzel to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 6 July 1994: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question as to the length of time a prisoner whose application for transfer from Scotland to Northern Ireland is refused must wait before reapplying. There is no stipulated time which must lapse before a prisoner can reapply for transfer. Each application is considered on its own merits against the set criteria governing United Kingdom interjurisdiction transfers which was announced to Parliament on 23 November 1992.

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