HC Deb 27 November 1996 vol 286 cc231-2W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Irish republican prisoners have now been transferred from Britain to the Republic of Ireland (i) directly and (ii) via Her Majesty's prisons in Northern Ireland; and how many applications(a) are still outstanding because of lack of response from the Republic of Ireland, (b) are awaiting determination by him and (c) he has refused. [5018]

Miss Widdecombe

Four prisoners have been transferred to the Republic from prisons in England and Wales. One prisoner has been transferred to the Republic from Northern Ireland, having previously been temporarily transferred there. Some 37 repatriation requests are currently under consideration by the Republic of Ireland and 40 are under consideration in England and Wales. One repatriation request has been refused.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow Irish republican prisoners transferred for a limited period of time to remain in prison in Northern Ireland subject only to the good behaviour of the prisoner. [5019]

Miss Widdecombe

Prisoners temporarily transferred to Northern Ireland must continue to fulfil all the transfer criteria in order to be allowed to remain there for the maximum duration of any period of temporary transfer. At that point, it is open to prisoners to seek a further period of transfer. Such requests are considered in the light of all the relevant circumstances and against the transfer criteria.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for compassionate temporary release have been made by Irish republican prisoners transferred to Northern Ireland; how many have(a) been granted, (b) been refused and (c) are subject to further consideration by him; and if the same criteria for temporary release apply to prisoners convicted in Northern Ireland and England and Wales. [5020]

Miss Widdecombe

Prison Service records show that 10 applications for compassionate temporary release have been received from prisoners who are nationals of the Irish Republic and who are temporarily transferred to Northern Ireland. Of these, three have been granted and seven refused. None are currently being considered by my right hon. and learned Friend.

Prisoners convicted in England and Wales and temporarily transferred to Northern Ireland are considered for temporary release by the Home Secretary with reference to the rules which apply in England and Wales. Prisoners convicted in, or permanently transferred to. Northern Ireland are considered for temporary release by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under the rules which apply in that jurisdiction.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to apply the same criteria for Christmas and summer home leave for Irish republican prisoners transferred to Northern Ireland from England as apply to prisoners convicted in Northern Ireland. [5021]

Miss Widdecombe

No. It would not be right for prisoners temporarily transferred to Northern Ireland and who remain under the jurisdiction of the Home Secretary to be treated differently from other prisoners convicted and held in England and Wales.

Permanently transferred prisoners are subject to the home leave arrangements applying to prisoners convicted and held in Northern Ireland.