§ Lord Monsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in Northern Ireland for provoking fear and hatred on religious grounds in each year since the Public Order Order of 1987 came into force; and what was the maximum sentence imposed in each year. [HL862]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)Between 1987 and 1999 a total of four persons were prosecuted for incitement offences under the Public Order Order 1987. All four offenders were found guilty and the most serious penalty imposed was six months' detention.
As the number of prosecutions under the order is small, I have not answered the Question on a year to year basis.