HC Deb 30 November 1995 vol 267 cc858-9W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions since 1 September 1994 representations have been made to Her Majesty's Government for the early release of convicts serving sentences in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain for crimes related to (i) republican violence and (ii) loyalist violence (1) by Ministers of the Government

of the Irish Republic directly, (2) via the Maryfield secretariat, (3) by the SDLP or (4) by Sinn Fein; and what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government regarding the early release of loyalist convicts held in prisons in the Irish Republic for such crimes. [2371]

Sir John Wheeler

It is not possible to provide an answer in the form requested and I can answer only for representations received by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Prison issues have been discussed at each meeting of the inter-governmental conference, of which there have been five since 1 September 1994. No representations have been received from the Irish side of the Anglo-Irish secretariat. Representations have been made on three occasions by members of the SDLP with regard to particular cases concerning those convicted of crimes of republican and loyalist violence. No representations have been made by Sinn Fein.

Her Majesty's Government have made no representations to the Irish Government on the subject of the early release of prisoners.

Mr. Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons convicted of crimes connected with(a) republican and (b) loyalist violence have been given early release or have had their remission extended in the period from 1 September 1994 to the latest available date. [2374]

Sir John Wheeler

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from A. D. Shannon to Mr. William Ross dated 28 November 1995: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question regarding the number of persons convicted of crimes connected with Republican and Loyalist violence who have been given early release or had their remission extended. Since 17 November 85 releases have taken place under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Remission of Sentences) Act 1995. However, although the Northern Ireland Prison Service holds information regarding the parliamentary affiliation of individual offenders, the nature of the original offence could only be identified at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people convicted of crimes related to(a) republican and (b) loyalist violence have been given early release from prisons in the Republic of Ireland since 1 September 1994; and how many persons convicted of each such category of crimes are still serving sentences in the Irish Republic. [2372]

Sir John Wheeler

As this is a matter for the Government of the Republic of Ireland I am unable to supply the answer.