§ 8. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now make a statement on increased pay for the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the present emergency.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeA claim by the Royal Ulster Constabulary Federation for a special allowance in recognition of the arduous nature of RUC duties in the present emergency in Northern Ireland was rejected by the Police Council. My hon. Friend will have noted that at a recent meeting with a deputation from the Police Council my right hon. Friend said that he was prepared to consider, after stage 2 of the Government's pay policy, any proposals put forward by the Police Council for special recognition of the par- 694 ticular circumstances in which the Royal Ulster Constabulary operates at present.
§ Mr. MillsIs my hon. Friend aware that the conditions under which the RUC operates and the dangers which its members face are in no way comparable with those of any other police force in the United Kingdom? It is grossly unfair that this has not been given some form of special recognition. Will my hon. Friend give more encouragement, therefore, than the words in the latter part of his answer which, if I understood him correctly, indicated that a further look may be taken at this matter in the autumn?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI am as well aware as any other hon. Member of the special strains placed upon the Royal Ulster Constabulary as compared to other police forces in the United Kingdom. However, my hon. Friend will know better than most the similar strains that are imposed on members of the public services generally throughout Northern Ireland. It is not, regrettably, exclusively a matter for the police. I must not go beyond the words that I used in concluding, but it is important to remember that, if the Police Council puts forward proposals, they will be given careful consideration.
§ Mr. OrmeIs the Minister aware that it is ridiculous to talk about phase 2 and phase 3 in an abnormal situation such as exists in Northern Ireland—
§ Mr. WhitelawIt is the law.
§ Mr. OrmeWe believe it is a bad law anyway, and it is a much worse law applied in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeIt must be right throughout Northern Ireland that we follow the same legal requirements as in the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWill my hon. Friend convey the gratitude widely felt in this House to Sir Graham Shillington and our good wishes to Mr. Flanaghan?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI will most certainly do the first, but my hon. Friend will wish—he wishes always to be accurate—to recall that the appointment of a new chief constable rests in the hands of the Police Authority, subject to the approval of my right hon. Friend, and 695 that it has announced publicly that it will advertise the appointment.
§ Mr. DeedesIs there not a slight inconsistency in the policy which permits Northern Ireland to continue exports of live cattle to the Republic but by which phase 2 precludes an extra allowance for the RUC?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI am not sure that the first follows on from the second.
§ Mr. KilfedderCan my hon. Friend give an assurance that no action will be taken to restructure the RUC or to diminish further its morale and standing in the community? Is he aware that some people in Northern Ireland feel that the reasons given by Sir Graham Shillington for his resignation are not the full reasons?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeIf that is my hon. Friend's view—because he has given credence to it—he is not accepting a statement made personally by the Chief Constable.