§ 11. Mr. Carsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the latest recruitment figures for the Ulster Defence Regiment and the reserve police; and what resignations there have been from the UDR and RUCR over the past three months.
§ Mr. MoyleDuring the three months to 31st December 1974, 1,048 men and 229 women were recruited to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve. Over the same period, 78 men and nine women resigned. Recruiting to the Ulster Defence Regiment is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, but I understand that during the last quarter of 1974 462 men and 84 women were recruited into the regiment, and 275 men and 39 women resigned.
§ Mr. CarsonWill the Minister of State give an assurance that he will do all in his power to speed up the process of vetting applicants for both the reserve police and the UDR? Will he give an assurance that the reserve police will have the proper weapons to carry out their duty?
§ Mr. MoyleI give no assurance on behalf of the UDR, which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. As for the RUCR, the vetting process will take place as rapidly as possible. There are outstanding 1,050 applications from men and 240 from women, which are still being processed. The time lag is to some extent due to the Christmas holidays. When these people are enrolled they will be reserve policemen and policewomen.
§ Mr. BradfordSince the UDR is an integral part of the British Army, will the Minister give an assurance that even if the Army is drastically reduced in Northern Ireland the UDR will have a significant and lasting rôle for the security of the Province?
§ Mr. MoyleThe UDR will have appropriate duties in the event of any situation such as the hon. Member has described. Undertakings in respect of the UDR are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.