Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Friday, 20 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many of the groups identified as meeting the 1999 NCIS definition of organised crime comprise (a) fewer than 10 members, (b) 10 to 25 members, (c) 25 to 100 members and (d) more than 100 members; how many groups in each size band have their origins or initial association in a local unit of (i) Republican, (ii) Loyalist and (iii) other paramilitary organisations; and how many groups in each size band are focused around criminal activity within a local or district territory. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the groups identified as meeting the 1999 NCIS definition of organised crime comprise (a) fewer than 10 members, (b) 10 to 25 members, (c) 25 to 100 members and (d) more than 100 members; how many groups in each size band have their origins or initial association in a local unit of (i) Republican, (ii) Loyalist and (iii) other paramilitary organisations; and how many groups in each size band are focused around criminal activity within a local or district territory. [158787] Mr. Ingram: The information cannot be made available in the form requested. However, I can state that 78 groups involving some 400 individuals have been identified as meeting the 1999 NCIS definition of organised crime. Of these 78 groups, no one group exceeds 25 members. Just over half of the groups identified have current or historical links to Republican or Loyalist paramilitary organisations. The vast majority of the groups identified are focused around criminal activity within a local or district territory.

Secondary information