Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Monday, 12 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 March 2001. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 March 2001 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will (a) list those sections of emergency legislation where the exercise of police powers involves officers making contact with members of the public and (b) specify those areas of their powers where police have a responsibility to ascertain whether the member of the public is an adult.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will (a) list those sections of emergency legislation where the exercise of police powers involves officers making contact with members of the public and (b) specify those areas of their powers where police have a responsibility to ascertain whether the member of the public is an adult. [150598] Mr. Ingram: Such powers are currently governed by the provisions of Parts IV, V and VII of the Terrorism Act 2000, its related Schedules 5, 7, 8, 10 and 14; as well as the relevant Codes of Practice issued under the Act which stipulate an express requirement on the police to ascertain if an individual is a juvenile. For example in the Detention Code (in Northern Ireland issued under Section 99 of the Act) Section 1.7 states: "If anyone appears to be under the age of 17 then he or she shall be treated as a juvenile for the purposes of this Code in the absence of clear evidence to show that he or she is older".

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 150598; 364 c511W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Children Emergency powers Northern Ireland Police Young people Royal Ulster Constabulary
Legislation: Terrorism Act 2000
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk