Written question asked by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Monday, 16 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 November 1998. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 19 November 1998 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her Answer of 11th November, Official Report, 319 c210W, relating to the audio recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects, if she will list the differences to which she refers. - Inc ref to copies of relevant codes in Library as DEP 98/1363.

Answer: Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 11 November 1998, Official Report, column 210, relating to the audio recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects, if she will list the differences to which she refers. [60583] Mr. Ingram: When the Draft Code of Practice under Section 53A of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 was being drawn up, no record was made of where the draft Code departed from the equivalent PACE Code. To provide the information requested would require a check to be made of the draft Code against the NI PACE Code of Practice on the Tape Recording (Code E), which itself differs from the England and Wales PACE Code. The information is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost and outside the timescale allowed for reply. I have, however, arranged to have copies of the relevant codes relating to the EPA and NI PACE placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c739-40W; 60583
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Codes of practice Audio recordings Northern Ireland Police interrogation Terrorism