(1)The remission granted under prison rules in respect of a sentence of imprisonment passed in Northern Ireland for a scheduled offence within the meaning of the [1978 c. 5.] Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 shall not, where it is for a term of five years or more, exceed one-third of that term.
(2)Where a person is sentenced on the same occasion for two or more such offences to terms which are consecutive subsection (1) above shall apply as if those terms were a single term.
(3)Where a person is serving two or more terms which are consecutive but not all subject to subsection (1) above, the maximum remission granted under prison rules in respect of those terms taken together shall be arrived at by calculating the maximum remission for each term separately and aggregating the result.
(4)In this section “prison rules” means rules made under section 13 of the [1953 c. 18 (N.I.).] Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953.
(5)The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument substitute a different length of sentence and a different maximum period of remission for those mentioned in subsection (1) above; and any such order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(6)This section applies where the scheduled offence is committed while this section is in force.