§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people were in custody following requests for extradition at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what are the maximum, minimum and median lengths of time that these people had spent in confinement.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)On 28 February 1997 there were 37 people in custody following requests for extradition from the United Kingdom. The maximum length of time spent in custody by these people is 841 days; the minimum is 22 days; and the median is 255½ days.
These figures do not cover requests for extradition from the United Kingdom made by the Republic of Ireland. Such requests are dealt with under the procedures laid down in the Backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965, and figures for those held in custody are not held centrally.