§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Attorney-General (1) what reasons for the delay in extraditing Brendan Smyth were advanced by officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office during the contacts his officials had with them on 20 September 1993;
(2) what reasons for the delay in extraditing Brendan Smyth were advanced by officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office during the contacts his officials had with them on 18 November 1993
(3) what reasons for the delay in extraditing Brendan Smyth were advanced by the Irish Attorney-General's, office during the contacts his officials had with them on 14 October 1993;
(4) what reasons for the delay in extraditing Brendan Smyth were advanced by officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office during the contacts his officials had with them on 6 December 1993;
(5) if during their contacts with officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office on 20 September 1993, his officials made a specific request for the early extradition of Brendan Smyth;
(6) if during their contacts with officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office on 14 October 1993, his 389W officials made a specific request for the early extradition of Brendan Smyth;
(7) if during their contacts with officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office on 18 November 1993, his officials made a specific request for the early extradition of Brendan Smyth;
(8) if during their contacts with officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office on 6 December 1993, his officials made a specific request for the early extradition of Brendan Smyth.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is not customary to divulge dialogue on departmental business between United Kingdom officials and those of a foreign Administration.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Attorney-General what consideration he gave to interceding personally with the Irish Attorney-General when it became clear that the extradition request, in respect of Brendan Smyth, made by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in April 1993 was not being responded to positively by the office of the Irish Attorney-General; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI consider that the contacts made by my officials with officials of the Irish Attorney-General's office, the dates of which have already been supplied to the hon. Member, were appropriate to the circumstances of the case.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Attorney-General on which date in 1992 the first approach was made to the Garda or the office of the Irish Attorney-General by the RUC or his office about the possible extradition of Brendan Smyth.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware of any such approach in 1992.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Attorney-General who intimated to his office, and when, that Brendan Smyth was likely on his own volition to surrender himself to the authorities in Northern Ireland.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe likelihood was intimated by his solicitor to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland towards the end of November 1993, and that information was passed to officials of my Department on 29 November 1993.