Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) members, and (2) former members of the security forces have been charged with offences relating to their duties in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Government does not hold figures on prosecutorial decisions as this is a matter for the prosecuting authorities (in this case the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland) who act independently of Government.

We are aware, however, that since 2011 the following decisions have been taken in relation to offences connected to the security situation in Northern Ireland that took place prior to the signing of the Belfast Agreement on 10 April 1998.

• There have been seven prosecutions of republican paramilitaries. Of the five concluded cases there have been two convictions, one acquittal and two cases in which proceedings were discontinued (one following the death of the defendant);

• There have been four prosecutions related to alleged loyalist paramilitary activity. Convictions have been secured in two cases and two cases are currently active;

• There have been three prosecutions of soldiers with one ‘no prosecution’ decision currently under review. All of these cases are currently active.