HC Deb 09 February 2000 vol 344 cc238-9
6. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle)

When he plans to meet his policy objective of the Northern Ireland police having broad parity in terms of the religious affiliations of its officers. [107678]

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Adam Ingram)

The Government's aim is a police service that is representative of the community in Northern Ireland and enjoys widespread support from that community. The Patten report proposes measures designed to quadruple the proportion of Catholic officers in the police over a 10-year period. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 19 January, the Government have accepted these measures.

Mr. Prentice

The Secretary of State said just a few moments ago that the Patten recommendations stand on their own merit. That is good, because yesterday the right hon. Member for Upper Bann (Mr. Trimble) gave the impression—and here I paraphrase—that, with the suspension of the Assembly, the Patten report would be put into cold storage. Is it not the case that a situation in which 92 per cent. of police officers in Northern Ireland are Protestant and 8 per cent. are Catholic is not sustainable in the long term, and that we need to implement the Patten recommendations?

Mr. Ingram

I made clear in an earlier answer, and my right hon. Friend has made clear in his answers, the way in which we intend to proceed with the recommendations of the Patten report.

Mr. William Ross (East Londonderry)

Is the Minister aware that, as intimidation has declined—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. The House must come to order. The Minister cannot hear the question. Speak up, Mr. Ross.

Mr. Ross

Is the Minister aware that, as intimidation from terrorist organisations, principally the IRA, has declined, the number of Roman Catholics applying to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary has risen to more than 20 per cent? In the light of that welcome development, and assuming that the quality of applicants is equal, when might broad parity be reached without positive discrimination in favour of Roman Catholic applicants?

Mr. Ingram

I am sure that even the hon. Gentleman wants a police force that represents the wider community. Reaching parity depends on several circumstances, one of which he alluded to. We want to sustain the important developments that have taken place in recent months and to increase the number of people from the minority community who are applying and successfully becoming police officers. That will help to better Northern Ireland society in future.