§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many exclusion orders under the Prevention of Terrorism legislation are still operative; and how many apply to(a) matters concerned with the Irish troubles and (b) other. [5040]
§ Mr. HowardThirty-five exclusion orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act remain in force. The power to make exclusion orders contained in that Act applies only to terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will repeal the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 following the recent European Court of Justice ruling and the ceasefires. [4808]
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 11 December 1995]: No. The recent European Court of Justice ruling was confined to procedural matters and did not question the continued need for the powers in the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We will maintain powers to deal with terrorism —from whatever source—for as long as the threat remains.