§ 5. Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)What recent assessment he has made of the reasons preventing Roman Catholics from joining the RUC. [98768]
§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Adam Ingram)There are many complex reasons preventing greater numbers of Roman Catholics from joining the RUC. Fear of intimidation and loss of 607 connection with family and friends are important factors. Lack of identification with the police and lack of active encouragement from community leaders have also been important. The Government's aim remains a police service which is representative of the community in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. RobathanWe would all like to see a police service represent the community in Northern Ireland. However, is not the Minister's answer slightly disingenuous, when his own Ministry reported in April last year that fear of intimidation among Catholics was the major reason for not joining the RUC, and the Patten commission also said that 70 per cent. of Roman Catholics had said that that was their major reason for not thinking of joining the RUC?
Therefore, what justification can the Minister find for taking on board the Patten recommendations on changing the name, the cap star and the oath, when those are not the reasons why Catholics are not joining the RUC? Does he understand the real anguish that such changes will cause to members of the RUC, not to mention widows and families who have been bereaved?
§ Mr. IngramMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear the Government's intentions. I am sorry if the hon. Gentleman thinks that I was disingenuous in my earlier answer—I was simply trying to point out that there were reasons other than the one that he recounted. It behoves the Government to consider all those issues and to try to find answers to them.