HC Deb 23 March 2001 vol 365 cc415-6W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the(a) newspapers, (b) magazines and (c) television stations which have featured RUC recruitment advertisements in 2001. [152869]

Mr. Ingram

The list of publications used for the Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment advertisements is as follows:

Northern Ireland

Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, News Letter, Daily Mirror, Sunday Life, Sunday World, Ballymena Guardian, Northern Constitution, Portadown Times, Ballyclare/Carrick/Larne Gazette, Armagh Observer, Co. Down Spectator, Newtownards Chronicle, Down Democrat, Ulster Herald, Mourne Observer, Derry Journal, Down Recorder, Newry Reporter.

Republic of Ireland

Sunday Independent, The Star, Anglo Celtic, Donegal Democrat, The Argus, Dundalk Democrat, Northern Standard, Sligo Champion.

Great Britain

Glasgow Herald, Edinburgh Evening News, Manchester Evening News, Birmingham Evening Mail, Evening Standard (London), Liverpool Echo.

Television

UTV, Channel 4, TARA TV.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implications for the conduct of policing resulting from the ratification of the European Convention on Minority Languages; what instructions have been issued to Consensia concerning language issues in police recruitment; and what questions are addressed to potential applicants concerning their proficiency in the Irish language. [152868]

Mr. Ingram

The NIO and devolved Administration have agreed which elements of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages are for them to take forward.

Ratification was expected in the week commencing 12 March 2001 and the Northern Ireland Office is in the process of assessing the impact of ratification on those areas for which it is responsible in readiness for implementation during mid 2001.

The police already have available information on the rights of those in custody in various languages, including the Irish language, and make available interpreters as necessary.

No instructions have been issued to Consensia by the Secretary of State.

No questions are addressed to applicants on their proficiency in the Irish language.