§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long trial records are kept for those charged with terrorist acts; what difference there is between the records kept for those found(a) guilty and (b) not guilty; and what the time limits are for keeping records for trials of (i) terrorists in Northern Ireland and (ii) other criminal trials. [27659]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonI have been asked to reply.
All records in relation to Crown court hearings in Northern Ireland are preserved permanently, as is the case for such records in England and Wales. Records in relation to magistrates courts in Northern Ireland are normally destroyed after 15 years, with the exception of records containing entries for a census year which are retained permanently. Retention schedules for records of magistrates courts in England and Wales are different.
There is no difference between the records kept for those found guilty and those found not guilty in criminal trials either terrorist or non-terrorist.