HC Deb 18 December 2000 vol 360 cc70-1W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Humberside police on the review of Operation Pre-empt; and if he will make a statement; [142761]

(2) how many persons of Irish origin, descent or background have been the subject of notifications to the Special Branch in each year since Operation Pre-empt became live in the Humberside police area; and how many of these persons became the subject of notifications as a result of (a) being brought into custody, (b) being subject to a routine street or driver check, (c) being subject to a police inquiry for any reason and (d) being brought to the attention of the police by a member of the public; [142756]

(3) how many persons of Irish origin, descent or background (a) reside and (b) work in the Humberside police area; [142757]

(4) how many persons of Irish origin, descent or background in the Humberside police area are the subject of the files maintained by Special Branch; [142758]

(5) if he will list those police authorities which operate a scheme similar or analogous to Operation Pre-empt developed in the Humberside police area; [142759]

(6) how many files Special Branch maintains on persons of Irish origin, descent or background and how many notifications of Irish persons have been passed on to Special Branch from each police authority area. [142760]

Mr. Straw

Operation Pre-empt was limited to the Humberside police area and was an operational matter for the Humberside police. I understand that the chief constable asked for a review of the policy. As a result of this review the operation was withdrawn on 12 December.

There were 4,728 people of Irish descent resident in the Humberside area at the time of the 1991 Census.

Information held by Special Branch is the responsibility of the chief constable.

The Government fully support the police in work to counter terrorism. The basis for this work is whether there is any information or intelligence which might link an individual to a terrorist organisation or activity, and not the nationality of those involved.