9. Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Northern Ireland Police Authority.
§ Sir John WheelerThe current membership of the Police Authority's term of office expries in June 1994 and the normal process for appointment of new members of the authority will commence shortly. I encourage all those approached for nominations to the authority to respond positively.
Mr. TaylorIt was the last Government at Stormont who brought into existence the Northern Ireland Police Authority so that there would be cross-community involvement in supervising the provision of an efficient police service in Northern Ireland and to distance the police from political and Government control. Can the Minister assure the House that there is no intention to return the RUC to political or governmental control next year?
§ Sir John WheelerI can certainly give the right hon. Gentleman that assurance. Consideration is being given to arrangements for policing structures in Northern Ireland, taking into account the White Paper and the Sheehy inquiry. Any changes would reflect the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland about policing, the need to hold the Chief Constable accountable to the community in Northern Ireland and the need to ensure the acceptability of the police to all sections of society in Northern Ireland.