Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 10 July 2014 (HL394), what was the outcome of the Northern Ireland Office’s investigation on the use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy between 1987 and 1997.

The use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy during the period 1987-1997 was relatively common and instances of this were not recorded in a single central list.

As Baroness Randerson said in her Written Answer, officials from the Northern Ireland Office contacted colleagues in the Department of Justice, The National Archives, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and the Royal Household to ascertain if they held relevant information.

While individual case records are likely to have been destroyed in accordance with proper protocols, all available details of issued Northern Ireland related RPMs have been located and collated. The Northern Ireland Office continues to meet its obligation to manage records in line with operational needs, best practice, relevant legislation and regulation, and guidance from The National Archives.