Written question asked by Michael Fabricant (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 December 2004. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 December 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many incidents of (a) punishment beatings, (b) expulsions and (c) criminal extortion from the owners of commercial enterprises have been committed by Republican sympathisers over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of (a) punishment beatings, (b) expulsions and (c) criminal extortion from the owners of commercial enterprises have been committed by Republican sympathisers over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [199406] Mr. Pearson: In the period 1 November 2003 to 31 October this year there have been a total of 40 casualties as a result of paramilitary style assaults attributed to Republican groups. No official figures on the number of people exiled from Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary intimidation are available as not all incidents are reported. The most recent report by the Independent Monitoring Commission on paramilitary activity, published on 4 November, clearly states that Republicans are engaged in criminal extortion.

Secondary information