Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Thursday, 15 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 April 2001. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 23 April 2001 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his Answer of 30th January, Official Report, 362 c135-6W, on terrorism, what his estimate is of (a) the cost of creating statistics on numbers of individuals who have been notified they are at risk as a result of personal files or information discovered in the possession of paramilitaries and (b) the cost of counting the files maintained at RUC headquarters. - Inc fact that information is not readily available and would incur a disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2001, Official Report, column 135W, on terrorism, what his estimate is of (a) the cost of creating statistics on numbers of individuals who have been notified they are at risk as a result of personal files or information discovered in the possession of paramilitaries and (b) the cost of counting the files maintained at RUC headquarters. [154638] Mr. Ingram: The manual records used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary are held on an individual basis so as to ensure that appropriate action is taken in respect of each person who comes under threat. To date there has not been a statistical need to collate this information in a single database. The information requested is therefore not readily available and to undertake a specific scoping study to evaluate the need and cost of setting up such a database would incur a disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 367 c12W; 154638
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Costs Personal records Northern Ireland Proscribed organisations Statistics Terrorism Security
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk