HC Deb 11 December 1987 vol 124 cc319-20W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve are currently estimated to be Catholics; what proportion this represents of the manpower of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, separately; and what proportion of recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in the latest calendar year was from the Catholic community.

Mr. Stanley

The religious denomination of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its reserve are not recorded at present. Nevertheless, I understand that about 10 per cent. of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and full-time reserve are Roman Catholic and that around 10 per cent. of those recruited to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and around 12 per cent. to the full-time reserve in 1986 were Roman Catholic. The Royal Ulster Constabulary will continue its efforts to attract suitably qualified recruits from all parts of the community.