HC Deb 12 May 1972 vol 836 cc466-70W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in view of the statement by the Chief Constable, Royal Ulster Constabulary, that the Force is 1,000 men below strength. what steps are being taken to increase recruiting; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Howell:

The estimated deficit referred to arises from a comparison of the present strength of the RUC with the establishment planned for 1975; the force is at present 296 below the 1972–73 authorised establishment. As to steps to improve recruitment, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Fowler) on 4th May.—[Vol. 836, c. 577–8.]

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the numerical strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary on 1st January, 1972, 24th March, 1972, and 1st May, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

The following is the information:

1st January, 1972 4,083
24th March, 1972 4,113
1st May, 1972 4,130

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary were received during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

Applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary were received as follows:

January 303
February 154
March 142
April. 158

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary were accepted during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

Recruits were accepted for the Royal Ulster Constabulary as follows:

January 36
February 1
March 42
April 36+9
cadets

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary were rejected during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

202 between 1st January, 1972, and 30th April, 1972. Because of selection procedures it is not possible to give figures for rejections on a monthly basis.

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many resignations from the Royal Ulster Constabulary were received during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

The numbers of resignations from the force were as follows:

January 15
February 17
March 12
April 8

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the numerical strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve on 1st January, 1972, 24th March, 1972 and 1st May, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

The following is the information:

1st January, 1972 1,369
1st Apirl, 1972 1,671
1st May, 1972 1,728
April, 1972 170

Recruiting statistics are geared to monthly records and the strength of the force at 24th March is therefore not readily available.

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve were received during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

The following is the information:

January, 1972 247
February, 1972 136
March, 1972 289
April, 1972 170

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve were accepted during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

The following is the information:

January, 1972 49
February, 1972 43
March, 1972 41
April, 1972 81

Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many resignations from the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve were received during January, February, March and April, 1972, respectively.

Mr. David Howell:

The following is the information:

January, 1972 16
February, 1972 24
March, 1972 23
April, 1972 22