Written question asked by Max Madden (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 November 1996. It was answered by John Wheeler (Conservative) on Monday, 11 November 1996 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Northern Ireland Office;Northern Ireland Prison Service

Question: How many prisoners in Northern Ireland have applied on compassionate grounds to visit close relatives living in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years; how many have (a) been allowed and (b) been refused; and how many are awaiting decisions. - Text of letter from Alan Shannon of Northern Ireland Prison Service, figs not given.

Answer: Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners in Northern Ireland have applied on compassionate grounds to visit close relatives living in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years; how many have (a) been allowed and (b) been refused; and how may are awaiting decisions. [3302] Sir John Wheeler: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Alan Shannon to Mr. Max Madden, dated 11 November 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to the Parliamentary Question that you tabled seeking information concerning the numbers of prisoners in Northern Ireland who have applied on compassionate grounds to visit close relatives living in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last 5 years. The Information that you are seeking is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Records of prisoners seeking periods of temporary release are not maintained in a form that would enable us to identify applications from prisoners whose relatives live outside Northern Ireland. There are no outstanding applications from prisoners requesting a visit to relatives who reside int he Republic of Ireland.

Secondary information