§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by how many the RUC, the RUC Reserves and the UDR are below strength both at the latest date for which figures are available and for one year earlier.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesFollowing is the information:
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMr. Darlington, who had a Political Fellowship from the Joseph Rowntree Social Service Trust, assisted me since I was first appointed in 1972 as my party's Front Bench Opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland and accompanied me on my visits to Northern Ireland during that period. This provided valuable continuity when, on assuming office, I appointed him my 373W special adviser in March 1974. He resigned to stand as a candidate at the General Election in October 1974 and was thereafter reappointed. He works from the Northern Ireland Office in London or Belfast, as appropriate. It has not been the practice of this or previous administrations to publish the salaries of Special Advisers.