HC Deb 03 March 2004 vol 418 cc1034-5W
Mr. Swire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many on the run terrorists have been apprehended and released back into the community in the last five years. [155647]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I have been asked to reply.

25 people, who had left Northern Ireland without completing their sentences, have been informed that they can return to Northern Ireland without serving more time in custody. The Government's proposals for dealing with on-the-run terrorists were set out in the paper published on 1 May 2003 alongside the Joint Declaration. These proposals would only be taken forward within the context of acts of completion.